CVE-2025-49456 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting certain versions of Zoom Clients for Windows. The issue is classified as CWE-426, which corresponds to an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability. Specifically, this vulnerability arises from a race condition in the Zoom installer process on Windows platforms. An unauthenticated local attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the search path used during the installation or update process. Because the installer does not securely validate or control the directories from which it loads executable components or libraries, an attacker with local access could insert malicious files or executables into a directory that the installer searches before the legitimate ones. This could lead to the execution of attacker-controlled code, thereby impacting the integrity of the Zoom application. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.2 reflects a medium severity, with the vector indicating that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to integrity compromise, with no direct confidentiality or availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or updates have been linked yet. The vulnerability is significant because Zoom is widely used for communication and collaboration, and compromising its integrity could allow attackers to inject malicious code or alter application behavior, potentially leading to further system compromise or espionage.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where Zoom Clients for Windows are installed and where local access to user machines is possible by unauthorized personnel or malware. The integrity compromise could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the installer, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or manipulation of communication sessions. This is particularly concerning for organizations relying heavily on Zoom for sensitive communications, such as governmental bodies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and critical infrastructure operators. The threat is heightened in shared or poorly secured workstations, remote or hybrid work environments where endpoint security may be less controlled, and in organizations with less stringent local user access controls. While the vulnerability does not directly impact confidentiality or availability, the integrity breach could be a stepping stone for broader attacks, including data exfiltration or lateral movement within networks. Given the widespread use of Zoom across Europe, the potential impact is significant if exploited, especially in sectors where communication integrity is critical.

1. Restrict local access: Implement strict local user access controls to prevent unauthorized users from gaining local access to systems where Zoom Clients are installed. 2. Application whitelisting: Use application control solutions to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, especially in directories commonly used during installation processes. 3. Monitor installer directories: Regularly audit and monitor directories involved in the Zoom installation process for unexpected or suspicious files. 4. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools: Use EDR solutions to detect anomalous behavior related to installer processes or unauthorized code execution. 5. User education: Educate users about the risks of installing software from untrusted sources and the importance of not running installers with elevated privileges unless necessary. 6. Patch management: Although no patch is currently linked, maintain vigilance for Zoom updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Use least privilege principles: Ensure users do not have unnecessary administrative privileges that could facilitate exploitation of this vulnerability. 8. Network segmentation: Limit the ability of compromised endpoints to access sensitive network segments to contain potential lateral movement.