CVE-2025-11178 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Acronis True Image for Windows versions prior to build 42386. The vulnerability arises from DLL hijacking, classified under CWE-427, where an attacker can exploit the way the application loads dynamic link libraries (DLLs). Specifically, the application may load a malicious DLL placed by an attacker in a location that is searched before the legitimate DLL, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability requires local access and some user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to gain administrative privileges, manipulate or exfiltrate sensitive data, and disrupt system operations. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the high CVSS score of 7.3 reflects the significant risk posed by this vulnerability if exploited. The lack of a published patch at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially for those relying on Acronis True Image for backup and recovery operations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges locally, potentially bypassing security controls and gaining administrative access to critical systems. This can lead to data breaches, ransomware deployment, or disruption of business continuity. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often use backup solutions extensively, may face increased risks. Moreover, the requirement for local access means that insider threats or attackers who have already compromised lower-privilege accounts could leverage this vulnerability to deepen their foothold. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability underscores the potential for severe operational and reputational damage within European enterprises.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately identify and inventory all installations of Acronis True Image on Windows systems, focusing on versions prior to build 42386. 2) Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. 3) Implement application whitelisting and DLL loading restrictions to prevent unauthorized DLLs from being loaded by Acronis True Image. 4) Monitor file system locations commonly used for DLL loading for unauthorized or suspicious files. 5) Educate users about the risks of executing untrusted files or interacting with unknown prompts that could trigger DLL hijacking. 6) Engage with Acronis support or security advisories to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available and apply them promptly. 7) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behaviors indicative of DLL hijacking or privilege escalation attempts. 8) Consider isolating backup systems or running them with the least privilege necessary to limit the impact of potential exploitation.