CVE-2025-3025 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Gen Digital's CCleaner software, specifically version 6.33.11465 on Windows platforms. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-552, which involves files or directories being accessible to external parties, leading to an elevation of privileges. In this case, the flaw resides in the cleaning feature of CCleaner, where insecure file deletion operations allow a local user with limited privileges to escalate their rights to SYSTEM level. The exploitation path involves manipulating how CCleaner handles file deletions, potentially enabling an attacker to replace or interfere with files that the cleaning process deletes, thereby executing code or commands with SYSTEM privileges. This vulnerability requires local access and some user interaction but does not require administrative privileges initially. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.3, reflecting high severity due to the combination of local attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges, and user interaction, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects CCleaner versions before 6.36.11508, meaning that any installations running 6.33.11465 or earlier are vulnerable. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for privilege escalation makes this a critical concern for endpoint security. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on September 15, 2025, and no official patches or mitigation links were provided in the source data, indicating that users must upgrade to versions 6.36.11508 or later once available to remediate the issue.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-3025 can be significant, especially for enterprises relying on CCleaner for system maintenance and cleanup on Windows endpoints. Successful exploitation allows a local attacker, such as a malicious insider or an attacker who has gained limited user access through phishing or other means, to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level. This can lead to full control over the affected machine, enabling installation of persistent malware, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems could be compromised, potentially affecting sensitive corporate data and operational continuity. Given the widespread use of CCleaner in corporate environments for endpoint optimization, this vulnerability could be leveraged as a stepping stone for lateral movement within networks. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or shared workstations. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but organizations should act swiftly to prevent potential attacks.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading CCleaner installations to version 6.36.11508 or later as soon as the patch becomes available. Until then, practical mitigations include restricting local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing untrusted users from installing or running CCleaner, and monitoring endpoint activity for unusual file deletion or privilege escalation attempts. Implement application whitelisting to control execution of unauthorized software and scripts. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious behavior indicative of privilege escalation. Additionally, organizations should audit and harden file system permissions related to CCleaner's operational directories to prevent unauthorized file manipulation. User education to reduce the risk of social engineering that could lead to local access is also recommended. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any compromise resulting from exploitation of this vulnerability.