CVE-2025-14492 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability identified in RealDefense SUPERAntiSpyware, specifically version 10.0.1276 Free Edition. The vulnerability is caused by an exposed dangerous method within the SAS Core Service component, which improperly exposes functionality that can be leveraged by an attacker. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must first gain the ability to execute code with low privileges on the target system, such as through a separate vulnerability or user-level compromise. Once this foothold is established, the attacker can invoke the exposed dangerous function to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level, effectively gaining full control over the affected machine. This allows arbitrary code execution with the highest privileges, compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.0 score of 7.8 reflects the high impact and relatively low complexity of exploitation, given that no user interaction is required and privileges needed are low. The vulnerability was assigned CWE-749, indicating an exposed dangerous method or function. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability was published on December 23, 2025, and tracked as ZDI-CAN-27668 by the Zero Day Initiative. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate risk mitigation by affected users. This vulnerability is particularly critical because anti-spyware software typically runs with elevated privileges and is trusted by the operating system, making exploitation highly impactful.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-14492 can be severe. Successful exploitation grants attackers SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling full control over affected endpoints. This can lead to data breaches, installation of persistent malware, disruption of security controls, and lateral movement within networks. Organizations relying on RealDefense SUPERAntiSpyware for endpoint protection may find their defenses undermined, increasing exposure to further attacks. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers can access sensitive data; integrity is compromised through unauthorized code execution and system modifications; availability may be affected if attackers disable security services or cause system instability. The requirement for initial low-privileged code execution means that this vulnerability can be chained with other exploits, increasing the attack surface. European enterprises in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often have stringent security requirements, could face regulatory and reputational consequences if exploited. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits rapidly after disclosure.

1. Restrict local code execution privileges: Limit the ability of users and applications to execute untrusted or unsigned code locally, reducing the chance of initial foothold. 2. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of code that could leverage this vulnerability. 3. Monitor SAS Core Service activity and logs for unusual or unauthorized function calls indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation behaviors. 5. Isolate systems running RealDefense SUPERAntiSpyware from untrusted networks and users where possible. 6. Maintain strict access controls and regularly audit local accounts to minimize the number of users with low-level code execution capabilities. 7. Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available; if no patch exists, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the affected product with alternative endpoint protection solutions. 8. Educate users about phishing and other attack vectors that could lead to initial low-privileged code execution. 9. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests to identify and remediate potential exploitation paths.