CVE-2025-5180: Uncontrolled Search Path in Wondershare Filmora
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Wondershare Filmora 14.5.16. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality in the library CRYPTBASE.dll of the file NFWCHK.exe of the component Installer. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. Attacking locally is a requirement. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-5180 is a critical vulnerability identified in Wondershare Filmora version 14.5.16, specifically within the Installer component's executable NFWCHK.exe, which utilizes the CRYPTBASE.dll library. The vulnerability is characterized as an uncontrolled search path issue, meaning that the software improperly handles the search order for loading dynamic link libraries (DLLs). This flaw can allow an attacker with local access to influence which DLL is loaded by the application, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the user running the installer. The attack complexity is rated as high, indicating that exploitation requires significant effort or conditions, and no user interaction is necessary. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as indicated by the CVSS 4.0 score of 7.3. The vendor has not responded to the disclosure, and no patches or mitigations have been published yet. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the public disclosure increases the risk of exploitation attempts. The uncontrolled search path vulnerability typically arises when the application does not specify absolute paths or securely validate the location of DLLs, allowing attackers to place malicious DLLs in directories that are searched before the legitimate ones. This can result in privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution on affected systems.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where Wondershare Filmora is used, such as media companies, educational institutions, and creative agencies. Since the exploit requires local access, the primary threat vector is through insider threats, compromised endpoints, or social engineering that leads to local code execution. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the installer, potentially leading to further lateral movement, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive media projects, intellectual property, or user data could be compromised. Additionally, organizations with less mature endpoint security or those that allow users to install software without strict controls are at increased risk. The lack of vendor response and patch availability further exacerbates the threat, requiring organizations to implement compensating controls to mitigate risk.
Mitigation Recommendations
Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement several specific mitigations: 1) Restrict local user permissions to prevent unauthorized installation or execution of software, especially limiting the ability to run installers like Wondershare Filmora's NFWCHK.exe. 2) Employ application whitelisting to control which executables and DLLs can run on endpoints, preventing unauthorized DLL injection or loading. 3) Monitor and audit file system changes in directories commonly used for DLL loading to detect suspicious activity. 4) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behaviors related to DLL hijacking or unauthorized code execution. 5) Educate users about the risks of running untrusted installers and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. 6) Consider isolating or sandboxing environments where Filmora is used to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7) Regularly review and harden system PATH environment variables and DLL search order configurations to minimize the risk of DLL hijacking. 8) Stay alert for vendor updates or third-party patches and apply them promptly once available.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden
CVE-2025-5180: Uncontrolled Search Path in Wondershare Filmora
Description
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Wondershare Filmora 14.5.16. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality in the library CRYPTBASE.dll of the file NFWCHK.exe of the component Installer. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. Attacking locally is a requirement. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-5180 is a critical vulnerability identified in Wondershare Filmora version 14.5.16, specifically within the Installer component's executable NFWCHK.exe, which utilizes the CRYPTBASE.dll library. The vulnerability is characterized as an uncontrolled search path issue, meaning that the software improperly handles the search order for loading dynamic link libraries (DLLs). This flaw can allow an attacker with local access to influence which DLL is loaded by the application, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the user running the installer. The attack complexity is rated as high, indicating that exploitation requires significant effort or conditions, and no user interaction is necessary. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as indicated by the CVSS 4.0 score of 7.3. The vendor has not responded to the disclosure, and no patches or mitigations have been published yet. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the public disclosure increases the risk of exploitation attempts. The uncontrolled search path vulnerability typically arises when the application does not specify absolute paths or securely validate the location of DLLs, allowing attackers to place malicious DLLs in directories that are searched before the legitimate ones. This can result in privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution on affected systems.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where Wondershare Filmora is used, such as media companies, educational institutions, and creative agencies. Since the exploit requires local access, the primary threat vector is through insider threats, compromised endpoints, or social engineering that leads to local code execution. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the installer, potentially leading to further lateral movement, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive media projects, intellectual property, or user data could be compromised. Additionally, organizations with less mature endpoint security or those that allow users to install software without strict controls are at increased risk. The lack of vendor response and patch availability further exacerbates the threat, requiring organizations to implement compensating controls to mitigate risk.
Mitigation Recommendations
Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement several specific mitigations: 1) Restrict local user permissions to prevent unauthorized installation or execution of software, especially limiting the ability to run installers like Wondershare Filmora's NFWCHK.exe. 2) Employ application whitelisting to control which executables and DLLs can run on endpoints, preventing unauthorized DLL injection or loading. 3) Monitor and audit file system changes in directories commonly used for DLL loading to detect suspicious activity. 4) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behaviors related to DLL hijacking or unauthorized code execution. 5) Educate users about the risks of running untrusted installers and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. 6) Consider isolating or sandboxing environments where Filmora is used to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7) Regularly review and harden system PATH environment variables and DLL search order configurations to minimize the risk of DLL hijacking. 8) Stay alert for vendor updates or third-party patches and apply them promptly once available.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- VulDB
- Date Reserved
- 2025-05-25T17:16:40.035Z
- Cisa Enriched
- false
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68343d700acd01a249285458
Added to database: 5/26/2025, 10:07:44 AM
Last enriched: 7/9/2025, 1:55:34 PM
Last updated: 8/11/2025, 11:39:45 AM
Views: 21
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