CVE-2025-12418 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access) affecting multiple versions of Revenera InstallShield (2023 R1, 2024 R1, 2025 R1). The flaw arises during the uninstall process when a local administrator removes a user-writable configuration directory. The uninstall routine improperly follows symbolic links (symlinks) instead of handling them securely, which can lead to unintended file system access or modification. This behavior can cause a Denial of Service (DoS) condition by disrupting the uninstall process, potentially leaving software in an inconsistent or unusable state. The vulnerability requires local privilege (local administrator) and user interaction (uninstall execution). The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H) indicates local attack vector, low attack complexity, partial authentication, user interaction required, no impact on confidentiality or integrity, but high impact on availability, and scope unchanged. Revenera has released hotfixes for the affected versions to mitigate this issue. No public exploits have been reported to date, but the vulnerability poses a risk to system stability and software lifecycle management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens system availability and operational continuity during software uninstallations. Organizations relying heavily on InstallShield for software deployment and management may experience disruptions if uninstalls fail or cause system instability. This can impact IT service management, software update cycles, and compliance with software lifecycle policies. The requirement for local administrator privileges limits remote exploitation but insider threats or compromised local accounts could leverage this vulnerability. In sectors with critical infrastructure or regulated environments, such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, even temporary denial of service can have cascading operational impacts. Additionally, organizations with large-scale software deployment environments may face increased operational overhead to manage uninstall failures or rollback issues. The absence of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces risks of data breaches but does not diminish the operational risks associated with availability loss.

European organizations should immediately apply the hotfixes released by Revenera for InstallShield versions 2023 R1, 2024 R1, and 2025 R1 to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should audit and restrict local administrator privileges to minimize the risk of exploitation. Implement strict controls and monitoring on uninstall operations, especially on endpoints with sensitive or critical software. Employ file system integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized symlink manipulations. Incorporate uninstall process validation in change management workflows to catch failures early. Where possible, use application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to prevent unauthorized execution of uninstallers. Educate IT staff about the risks of symlink attacks and ensure that uninstall operations are performed in secure, controlled environments. Regularly review and update software deployment tools and processes to align with security best practices.