CVE-2025-30640 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access, affecting Trend Micro Deep Security version 20.0 agents. This vulnerability arises due to improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks) or other link types before accessing files, which can lead to a local privilege escalation scenario. Specifically, a local attacker who already has the ability to execute code with low privileges on the affected system can exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges to a higher level, potentially gaining administrative or system-level access. The vulnerability is rooted in the agent's failure to securely resolve file paths before performing file operations, allowing an attacker to manipulate file references via crafted links. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access with low privileges, no user interaction, and results in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2025 and published in June 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Trend Micro Deep Security is a widely deployed host-based security platform used for intrusion detection and prevention, integrity monitoring, and firewall protection, often in enterprise and cloud environments. The flaw's exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls, manipulate system files, and compromise the protected environment, undermining the security posture of organizations relying on this product.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-30640 can be significant, especially those relying heavily on Trend Micro Deep Security for endpoint and server protection. Successful exploitation allows attackers with limited access to escalate privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and the ability to disable or tamper with security controls, thereby increasing the risk of further attacks such as ransomware or data exfiltration. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure could face severe operational and reputational damage. Moreover, the local attack vector implies that initial footholds (e.g., via phishing or exploiting other vulnerabilities) could be leveraged to fully compromise systems protected by Deep Security agents. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits rapidly following disclosure. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure necessitates urgent mitigation to prevent exploitation.

Implement strict access controls and monitoring to prevent unauthorized local code execution, as exploitation requires initial low-privileged code execution. Apply principle of least privilege to user accounts and services to minimize the attack surface for local privilege escalation. Isolate systems running Trend Micro Deep Security agents to limit local access only to trusted administrators and processes. Monitor file system activities and link creations, especially in directories accessed by Deep Security agents, to detect suspicious symlink manipulations. Deploy host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Engage with Trend Micro support channels to obtain and apply patches or hotfixes as soon as they become available. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on local privilege escalation vectors within the environment. Educate system administrators and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and containment if exploitation is suspected.