CVE-2025-14498 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability classified under CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) affecting TradingView Desktop version 2.11.0.7073, which is built on the Electron framework. The vulnerability stems from the application loading a script file from an unsecured or improperly validated location in the system's search path. This flaw allows an attacker who already has the ability to execute code with low privileges on the target machine to escalate their privileges by manipulating the search path to load a malicious script. The Electron framework's configuration in this product does not adequately restrict or sanitize the locations from which scripts are loaded, enabling arbitrary code execution in the context of a higher-privileged user. Exploitation does not require user interaction but does require prior local code execution capability, which could be obtained through other vulnerabilities or social engineering. The CVSS v3.0 score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring local privileges. No patches or known exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability was assigned and published by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under ZDI-CAN-27395. This vulnerability is significant because TradingView Desktop is widely used by traders and financial analysts, and compromise could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive financial data or manipulation of trading activities.

For European organizations, especially those in financial services, trading, and investment sectors, this vulnerability presents a serious risk. Exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges on systems running TradingView Desktop, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive financial data, manipulation of trading information, or disruption of trading activities. The confidentiality of proprietary trading strategies and personal financial information could be compromised. Integrity could be impacted by unauthorized code execution, potentially altering data or application behavior. Availability could also be affected if attackers deploy disruptive payloads or ransomware after privilege escalation. Given the critical role of TradingView in financial analysis and decision-making, exploitation could have cascading effects on business operations and market confidence. Additionally, local privilege escalation vulnerabilities can be leveraged as part of multi-stage attacks, increasing the overall threat landscape for affected organizations.

1. Restrict local code execution privileges by enforcing strict access controls and application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of low-privileged code that could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. 2. Monitor and audit TradingView Desktop installations for unusual script loading behavior or unauthorized modifications to the application directories and environment variables that influence search paths. 3. Apply vendor patches or updates promptly once released to address the Electron framework configuration flaw. 4. Harden the Electron application environment by configuring it to load scripts only from trusted, verified locations and avoid reliance on relative or environment-dependent search paths. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation attempts and anomalous script execution. 6. Educate users about the risks of executing untrusted code and maintain strict policies on software installation and usage. 7. Consider isolating TradingView Desktop usage to dedicated, hardened workstations with minimal privileges to limit the impact of potential exploitation.