CVE-2025-13154 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access, also known as 'Link Following') found in the SmartPerformanceAddin component of Lenovo Vantage. This flaw allows an authenticated local user to exploit improper symbolic link or hard link handling before file operations, enabling arbitrary file deletion with elevated privileges. The vulnerability arises because the software fails to securely resolve file paths before performing deletion operations, permitting an attacker to create malicious links that redirect the deletion process to unintended files. The attack vector requires local access with low privileges but does not require user interaction or additional authentication beyond initial login. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/VA:H) indicates that the attack is local, requires low complexity, and privileges but can cause high impact on availability by deleting critical files. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been released at the time of publication. Lenovo Vantage is a widely used utility on Lenovo consumer and business laptops for system optimization and management, making this vulnerability relevant to a broad user base. The improper link resolution can be exploited to disrupt system stability or compromise system integrity by removing or tampering with essential files, potentially leading to denial of service or system malfunction.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-13154 can be significant, especially in environments with many Lenovo devices where Lenovo Vantage is installed and used. The vulnerability allows local authenticated users to delete arbitrary files with elevated privileges, which can disrupt critical system or application files, leading to denial of service or operational interruptions. This can affect endpoint stability, data integrity, and availability of services. In enterprise environments, this could translate into downtime, increased support costs, and potential exposure to further attacks if critical security or system files are deleted. The requirement for local authentication limits remote exploitation but insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this vulnerability. The lack of user interaction requirement means automated or scripted attacks by malicious insiders or malware with local access could exploit this flaw. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once patches are released or if the vulnerability is reverse-engineered.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13154, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict local user privileges by enforcing the principle of least privilege, ensuring users do not have unnecessary write or administrative rights on endpoints. 2) Monitor file system activities for unusual or unauthorized file deletions, especially in directories used by Lenovo Vantage or system-critical locations, using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 3) Disable or uninstall Lenovo Vantage or the SmartPerformanceAddin component on systems where it is not required, reducing the attack surface. 4) Implement application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized modifications or deletions of critical files. 5) Prepare for timely deployment of official patches or updates from Lenovo once available, including testing in controlled environments before wide rollout. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege misuse and encourage strong local account management practices. 7) Use endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious symbolic link creation or manipulation attempts. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local privilege abuse and monitoring specific behaviors related to file deletion and link resolution.