CVE-2025-47962: CWE-284: Improper Access Control in Microsoft Windows SDK
Improper access control in Windows SDK allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-47962 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) found in Microsoft Windows SDK version 26100. The flaw allows an authorized attacker with local access to elevate their privileges on the affected system. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of access control mechanisms within the Windows SDK, permitting attackers to bypass intended privilege restrictions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with vector metrics AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access, low attack complexity, and low privileges but no user interaction, and it impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level. The vulnerability scope is unchanged, affecting only the local system. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches have been released as of the publication date. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where the Windows SDK is used for development or deployment, as attackers could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise entire systems or networks.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows attackers with local access to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining administrative or SYSTEM-level rights. This can lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of critical files, and disruption of system availability. Organizations relying on the affected Windows SDK version may face increased risk of insider threats or attacks from compromised user accounts. The elevated privileges can facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the attack surface and potential damage. The absence of a patch increases the window of exposure, making proactive mitigation essential. The impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability, threatening core security principles and potentially leading to significant operational and reputational damage.
Mitigation Recommendations
Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local access to systems running the affected Windows SDK version. Employ the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. Regularly audit user accounts and system logs for suspicious activity. Consider isolating development environments using the affected SDK to minimize exposure. Apply application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code. Educate developers and system administrators about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance. Once Microsoft releases a patch, prioritize its deployment across all affected systems. Additionally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential exploitation.
Affected Countries
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, Brazil
CVE-2025-47962: CWE-284: Improper Access Control in Microsoft Windows SDK
Description
Improper access control in Windows SDK allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-47962 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) found in Microsoft Windows SDK version 26100. The flaw allows an authorized attacker with local access to elevate their privileges on the affected system. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of access control mechanisms within the Windows SDK, permitting attackers to bypass intended privilege restrictions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with vector metrics AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access, low attack complexity, and low privileges but no user interaction, and it impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level. The vulnerability scope is unchanged, affecting only the local system. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches have been released as of the publication date. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where the Windows SDK is used for development or deployment, as attackers could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise entire systems or networks.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows attackers with local access to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining administrative or SYSTEM-level rights. This can lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of critical files, and disruption of system availability. Organizations relying on the affected Windows SDK version may face increased risk of insider threats or attacks from compromised user accounts. The elevated privileges can facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the attack surface and potential damage. The absence of a patch increases the window of exposure, making proactive mitigation essential. The impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability, threatening core security principles and potentially leading to significant operational and reputational damage.
Mitigation Recommendations
Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local access to systems running the affected Windows SDK version. Employ the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. Regularly audit user accounts and system logs for suspicious activity. Consider isolating development environments using the affected SDK to minimize exposure. Apply application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious code. Educate developers and system administrators about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance. Once Microsoft releases a patch, prioritize its deployment across all affected systems. Additionally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential exploitation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2025-05-14T14:13:13.464Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68487f521b0bd07c39389c66
Added to database: 6/10/2025, 6:54:10 PM
Last enriched: 2/28/2026, 11:44:18 PM
Last updated: 3/25/2026, 2:48:25 AM
Views: 72
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