CVE-2025-13919 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) found in Broadcom's Symantec Endpoint Protection Windows Client prior to specific patch versions (14.3 RU10 Patch 1, RU9 Patch 2, RU8 Patch 3). This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform COM hijacking by manipulating the Windows Registry entries that define COM object references. COM hijacking is a technique where malicious code is loaded instead of legitimate COM components due to improper or uncontrolled search paths. In this case, the attacker can establish persistence on the affected system and evade detection by security software, as the hijacked COM objects may be trusted or overlooked by endpoint protection mechanisms. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, but its exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to data leakage or manipulation. The vulnerability affects a widely deployed endpoint protection product, which is critical for enterprise security, making this a significant concern for organizations relying on Symantec Endpoint Protection for defense.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-13919 can be substantial, especially for enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors that rely on Symantec Endpoint Protection for endpoint security. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent footholds within corporate networks, bypass security controls, and potentially access sensitive data or disrupt operations. The compromise of endpoint protection software undermines trust in security defenses and can facilitate further lateral movement by attackers. Confidentiality and integrity of data could be compromised, leading to data breaches or manipulation of security logs and configurations. While availability is not directly impacted, the indirect effects of persistent compromise can cause operational disruptions. Organizations in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to stringent data protection requirements and the critical nature of their operations.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13919, European organizations should immediately verify their Symantec Endpoint Protection Windows Client versions and apply the latest patches provided by Broadcom (14.3 RU10 Patch 1, RU9 Patch 2, RU8 Patch 3 or later). In the absence of patches, organizations should audit COM registry entries for unauthorized modifications and implement strict monitoring of COM object registrations. Employ application whitelisting and code integrity policies to prevent unauthorized DLLs or executables from loading via hijacked COM paths. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the attack surface and reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Regular endpoint security assessments and behavioral monitoring can help detect suspicious activities related to COM hijacking. Additionally, organizations should maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.