CVE-2025-53919 is a vulnerability identified in the Portrait Dell Color Management application, specifically version 3.3.008, which is used to manage color profiles on Dell monitors. The issue arises because the application creates a temporary folder during installation and uninstallation with weak permissions (CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions). These weak permissions allow low-privileged local users to manipulate the folder contents, potentially replacing or injecting malicious files. Because the installation/uninstallation processes likely run with elevated privileges, this can lead to privilege escalation, granting the attacker higher system rights than originally permitted. The vulnerability requires local access and does not need user interaction, but the attacker must have at least low-level privileges on the system. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is officially published and reserved since mid-2025. The weakness in folder permission handling is a common security oversight that can be mitigated by enforcing strict access controls and secure temporary folder creation practices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where Dell monitors and the associated Portrait Dell Color Management application are widely deployed. The ability for a low-privileged local attacker to escalate privileges can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business operations, and potential lateral movement within networks. This is particularly critical for sectors with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The vulnerability undermines system integrity and availability, potentially allowing attackers to install persistent malware or disrupt color management services that may be critical for certain professional workflows. Given the local access requirement, organizations with shared workstations, remote desktop environments, or insufficient endpoint security controls are at higher risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation. Prompt mitigation is essential to prevent attackers from leveraging this vulnerability in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios.

1. Monitor Dell’s official channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, restrict local user permissions to prevent untrusted users from accessing or modifying installation directories and temporary folders used by the Portrait Dell Color Management application. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block unauthorized modifications to system folders. 4. Conduct regular audits of folder permissions on systems with Dell monitors to identify and remediate weak permission settings. 5. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce strict access controls on shared workstations. 6. Use host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor for suspicious activities related to installation or uninstallation processes. 7. Consider disabling or limiting the use of the Portrait Dell Color Management application if it is not essential, as a temporary risk reduction measure. 8. Maintain robust logging and alerting to detect potential exploitation attempts early.