CVE-2025-1683 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Nomad module of the 1E Client software, affecting versions prior to 25.3. The vulnerability stems from improper link resolution before file access, classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access, also known as 'Link Following'). This flaw allows an attacker with local unprivileged access on a Windows system to exploit symbolic links to delete arbitrary files on the device. Specifically, the Nomad module fails to securely handle symbolic links, enabling an attacker to create or manipulate symbolic links that redirect file deletion operations to unintended targets. Because the attacker only requires low-level privileges and no user interaction, the vulnerability can be exploited relatively easily once local access is obtained. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and limited privileges required. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the potential for data loss and system disruption. The 1E Client is widely used in enterprise environments for endpoint management and software deployment, making this vulnerability particularly relevant for organizations relying on this software for operational continuity and security management. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-1683 can be substantial. The ability for an attacker with only local unprivileged access to delete arbitrary files threatens data integrity and availability, potentially causing operational disruptions, data loss, and downtime. Enterprises using the 1E Client for endpoint management may face compromised system stability, affecting business-critical processes. This vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain, for example, by insiders or malware that gains initial foothold with limited privileges. The deletion of files could include configuration files, logs, or application data, complicating incident response and recovery efforts. In regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, data loss or system unavailability could lead to compliance violations and financial penalties. Additionally, the vulnerability could undermine trust in IT management tools, increasing the risk profile of affected organizations. Given the local access requirement, the threat is more pronounced in environments where endpoint security controls are weak or where attackers can escalate privileges or move laterally within networks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1683 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately identify and inventory all systems running vulnerable versions of the 1E Client, focusing on versions prior to 25.3. 2) Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available; if no patch is currently released, engage with 1E support for recommended interim fixes or workarounds. 3) Restrict local access to endpoints by enforcing strict access controls and least privilege principles to minimize the risk of unprivileged users exploiting the vulnerability. 4) Implement monitoring and alerting for suspicious symbolic link creation or file deletion activities, leveraging endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting anomalous filesystem operations. 5) Harden endpoint configurations to prevent unauthorized symbolic link manipulation, including disabling or restricting symbolic link creation for non-administrative users where feasible. 6) Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering or insider threats that could lead to local access exploitation. 7) Regularly back up critical data and verify backup integrity to ensure rapid recovery in case of file deletion incidents. 8) Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving local privilege exploitation and arbitrary file deletion.