CVE-2025-53425 is an incorrect privilege assignment vulnerability found in Dokan, Inc.'s Dokan library, specifically affecting versions up to and including 4.1.2. Dokan is a user-mode file system library for Windows that allows developers to create virtual file systems. The vulnerability arises from improper assignment of privileges within the Dokan-lite component, enabling an attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to escalate their privileges without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning exploitation can occur remotely, increasing the threat surface. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality to a high degree (C:H), with limited impact on integrity (I:L) and availability (A:L). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), indicating the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component and does not extend to other system components. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation (low attack complexity) and the potential for privilege escalation make this a significant risk. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in October 2025, with no patches currently linked, indicating that organizations must be vigilant for forthcoming updates. The flaw could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or perform unauthorized actions, compromising system security and stability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those utilizing Dokan in environments requiring file system virtualization or custom file system implementations on Windows platforms. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, allowing attackers to access sensitive information, manipulate files, or disrupt services. This could affect sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on secure file operations. The confidentiality impact is particularly concerning, as attackers could access or exfiltrate sensitive data. Integrity and availability impacts, while lower, could still disrupt business operations or lead to data tampering. The remote exploitability increases the risk of widespread attacks, especially in networked environments. Organizations without strict access controls or monitoring may be more vulnerable. The lack of current exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but also indicates potential for future exploitation once exploit code becomes available.

Organizations should prioritize monitoring for official patches or updates from Dokan, Inc. and apply them promptly once released. Until patches are available, restrict the use of Dokan to trusted users and systems only, minimizing exposure. Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles to limit the ability of users or processes to exploit this vulnerability. Employ network segmentation to reduce the attack surface and monitor network traffic for unusual activity related to Dokan processes. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect potential privilege escalation attempts. Conduct regular audits of user privileges and system logs to identify suspicious behavior early. Consider temporary disabling or replacing Dokan-dependent applications if feasible, especially in high-risk environments. Maintain up-to-date backups to mitigate potential data loss from exploitation. Finally, educate system administrators and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response.