What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-33075?

CVE-2025-33075 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.5%.

Which versions of Windows are affected by CVE-2025-33075?

CVE-2025-33075 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows Installer that allows authenticated local users to gain elevated system privileges through symlink manipulation, affecting…. A patch is available.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2025-33075?

Within 24 hours: Identify all affected Windows versions in your environment using asset management tools and cross-reference with Microsoft's CVE-2025-33075 advisory for impacted product list. Within 7 days: Apply the vendor-released patch to development and test environments, then conduct functional validation of Windows Installer operations. Within 30 days: Deploy patches to all production Windows systems using your established change management process, prioritizing systems with multiple local user accounts or administrative access.

Windows CVE-2025-33075

EUVD-2025-17770 HIGH

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (CWE-59)

2025-06-10 secure@microsoft.com

Microsoft Windows Privilege Escalation Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2025 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 10 1507 Windows 10 1607 Windows Server 2016 Windows 11 24h2 Windows Server 2012 Windows 11 22h2 Windows Server 2022 Windows 10 1809 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 11 23h2 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2022 23h2

7.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.8 HIGH

AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Updated

Apr 16, 2026 - 06:41 EUVD-patch-fix

executive_summary

Re-analysis Queued

Apr 16, 2026 - 05:29 backfill_euvd_patch

patch_released

Patch available

Apr 16, 2026 - 05:29 EUVD

6.2.9200.25522,10.0.25398.1665,6.1.7601.27769

EUVD ID Assigned

Mar 14, 2026 - 19:49 euvd

EUVD-2025-17770

Analysis Generated

Mar 14, 2026 - 19:49 vuln.today

CVE Published

Jun 10, 2025 - 17:23 nvd

HIGH 7.8

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Installer allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

AnalysisAI

Privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows Installer that exploits improper symlink/junction handling (CWE-59: link following) to allow an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges without user interaction. With a CVSS score of 7.8 and CVSS vector indicating local attack vector with low complexity and no user interaction required, this vulnerability affects Windows Installer across multiple versions. Real-world risk depends on KEV/CISA status and EPSS probability, which should be cross-referenced against active exploitation reports and POC availability.

Technical ContextAI

This vulnerability exploits improper link resolution in Windows Installer (msiexec.exe and related MSI processing components), which fails to properly validate symbolic links or NTFS junctions before file access operations during package installation. CWE-59 (Link Following) describes the root cause: the application follows a link (symlink/junction) to a file without verifying the link's target is legitimate. Windows Installer processes MSI packages with SYSTEM privileges in certain contexts, creating a Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) window where an attacker can replace legitimate file paths with links pointing to sensitive system locations (e.g., %SystemRoot%, %ProgramFiles%, registry hives). The vulnerability is exacerbated because authorized users (PR:L in CVSS vector) can trigger MSI installations, and the installer's file operations are not confined by strict path validation or link-aware APIs.

RemediationAI

PATCH: Apply Microsoft security updates addressing CVE-2025-33075 via Windows Update or Microsoft Update Catalog (KB article TBD—check Microsoft Security Response Center). 2. PRIORITIZE: Treat as high-priority patching given privilege escalation severity. 3. WORKAROUNDS (if patch delayed): (a) Restrict MSI installation privileges via Group Policy ('Disable Windows Installer' or 'Always install with elevated privileges' policies—though caveat: these may break legitimate installs); (b) Monitor %TEMP% and installation directories for suspicious symlink/junction creation (detection evasion technique); (c) Require administrative approval for all MSI installations (increases friction but reduces attack surface). 4. DETECTION: Implement file system monitoring for symlink/junction creation in installer working directories and temporary paths; correlate with MSI installation attempts. 5. REFERENCE: Consult Microsoft Security Update Guide and relevant KB articles for patch availability and version-specific guidance.