CVE-2025-10581 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) found in Lenovo PC Manager, a utility used for device management on Lenovo PCs. The vulnerability allows a local authenticated user to perform DLL hijacking by placing a malicious DLL in a location that the PC Manager will load instead of the legitimate DLL. This hijacking occurs because the software does not securely specify the full path to DLLs it loads, relying instead on a search path that can be manipulated. As a result, an attacker with local access can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively escalating their rights on the system. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no attack vector (AT:N), and privileges required are low (PR:L). No user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H). The vulnerability was discovered during an internal security assessment and is currently published without known exploits in the wild or available patches. This makes it a critical risk for environments where Lenovo PC Manager is deployed, as attackers could leverage this flaw to gain persistent elevated access, potentially compromising sensitive data or disrupting operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-10581 is significant due to the widespread use of Lenovo PCs and their management via Lenovo PC Manager. Successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install persistent malware, or exfiltrate sensitive information. This threatens the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of corporate systems. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure could face operational disruptions or data breaches. The local access requirement limits remote exploitation but insider threats or attackers who gain initial footholds can leverage this vulnerability to deepen their control. The absence of patches increases the window of exposure, making timely mitigation essential. Additionally, the vulnerability could be chained with other exploits to facilitate lateral movement within networks, amplifying its impact on European enterprises.

Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing unprivileged users from writing to directories in the DLL search path used by Lenovo PC Manager. Organizations should implement application whitelisting and monitor for anomalous DLL loads or unexpected process behaviors related to PC Manager. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious activity indicative of DLL hijacking attempts. Until Lenovo releases an official patch, consider disabling or limiting the use of Lenovo PC Manager where feasible, especially on high-risk systems. Network segmentation can reduce the risk of lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Regularly audit and harden the environment by removing unnecessary local accounts and enforcing strong access controls. Once patches become available, prioritize their deployment across all affected systems. Additionally, educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of maintaining updated software.