Cyber Posture

CVE-2025-21420

High

Published: 11 February 2025

Published
11 February 2025
Modified
14 February 2025
KEV Added
Patch
CVSS Score 7.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.4147 97.4th percentile
Risk Priority 40 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Description

Windows Disk Cleanup Tool Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Security Summary

CVE-2025-21420 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Disk Cleanup Tool. It stems from improper link resolution before file access, classified under CWE-59. The vulnerability affects Windows systems and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability when exploited.

A local attacker with low-privilege access can exploit this vulnerability without user interaction. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to elevate privileges, potentially gaining full system control by modifying critical files or executing arbitrary code with elevated rights.

The Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21420 provides details on patching, recommending that affected systems apply the available security update to mitigate the issue.

Details

CWE(s)
CWE-59NVD-CWE-noinfo

Affected Products

microsoft
windows 10 1507
≤ 10.0.10240.20915 · ≤ 10.0.10240.20915
microsoft
windows 10 1607
≤ 10.0.14393.7785 · ≤ 10.0.14393.7785
microsoft
windows 10 1809
≤ 10.0.17763.6893 · ≤ 10.0.17763.6893
microsoft
windows 10 21h2
≤ 10.0.19044.5487
microsoft
windows 10 22h2
≤ 10.0.19045.5487
microsoft
windows 11 22h2
≤ 10.0.22621.4890
microsoft
windows 11 23h2
≤ 10.0.22631.4890
microsoft
windows 11 24h2
≤ 10.0.26100.3194
microsoft
windows server 2012
all versions, r2
microsoft
windows server 2016
≤ 10.0.14393.7785
+4 more product configuration(s) — see NVD for full list

References