CVE-2025-14496 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability identified in RealDefense SUPERAntiSpyware version 10.0.1276 Free Edition. The flaw is due to an exposed dangerous function within the SAS Core Service component, which improperly exposes functionality that can be leveraged by an attacker who already has limited code execution privileges on the target system. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can escalate their privileges to SYSTEM level, enabling arbitrary code execution with the highest system privileges. This escalation does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have initial low-privileged code execution access, such as through another vulnerability or local access. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-749, which relates to exposed dangerous methods or functions that can be abused. The CVSS v3.0 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that mitigation may rely on vendor updates or workarounds. The vulnerability was reserved and published in December 2025, with the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) identifier ZDI-CAN-27678. The exposure of this dangerous function within a security product is particularly concerning as it undermines the trust and protection the software is supposed to provide.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where RealDefense SUPERAntiSpyware 10.0.1276 Free Edition is deployed on endpoints. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of critical services. This can affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing unauthorized changes to system files or configurations, and availability by enabling denial-of-service conditions or disabling security controls. The requirement for local code execution means that attackers must first breach lower-level defenses, but once achieved, the escalation can facilitate lateral movement and deeper network penetration. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory requirements for data protection, such as finance, healthcare, and government, face increased compliance risks and potential reputational damage. The lack of current patches increases exposure time, and the absence of known exploits suggests a window for proactive mitigation. Given the software’s role as an anti-spyware tool, exploitation could also undermine endpoint security posture, increasing overall attack surface.

1. Monitor vendor communications closely and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available to address CVE-2025-14496. 2. Restrict local user permissions to minimize the ability of low-privileged users to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive services. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block suspicious privilege escalation attempts. 4. Conduct regular audits of installed security software versions across the enterprise to identify and remediate vulnerable instances of SUPERAntiSpyware. 5. Implement network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of compromised endpoints. 6. Use behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous activity related to SAS Core Service or other system services. 7. Educate users about the risks of executing untrusted code locally, as initial exploitation requires local code execution. 8. Consider alternative or additional endpoint protection solutions if patching is delayed or vendor support is limited. 9. Maintain robust incident response plans to quickly contain and remediate any exploitation attempts. 10. Leverage threat intelligence feeds to stay informed about any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability.