CVE-2025-5496 is a vulnerability identified in ZohoCorp's ManageEngine Endpoint Central, specifically affecting versions earlier than 11.4.2508.14, 11.4.2516.06, and 11.4.2518.01. The issue stems from improper privilege management (CWE-269) within the agent setup component, which allows an attacker with limited privileges (local access with low privileges) to perform arbitrary file deletion. This means that an attacker who has some level of access to the system can delete files that they should not be authorized to remove, potentially disrupting the endpoint management agent's functionality or deleting critical configuration or operational files. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and does not allow for elevation of privileges or remote exploitation, as the attack vector is local (AV:L). The CVSS score is 3.3 (low), reflecting limited impact primarily on integrity, with no confidentiality or availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links were provided at the time of publication, indicating that organizations should monitor for updates from ZohoCorp. The vulnerability's scope is limited to the affected versions of Endpoint Central, a widely used endpoint management solution in enterprise environments. The improper privilege management could be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained limited local access, potentially leading to disruption of endpoint management tasks or deletion of important files that could affect system stability or security posture.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-5496 lies in the potential disruption of endpoint management operations due to unauthorized deletion of files by an attacker with limited local privileges. This could impair the ability to deploy patches, manage configurations, or monitor endpoints effectively, increasing the risk of further compromise or operational downtime. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability, the integrity impact could cascade into broader security risks if endpoint management is hindered. Organizations in sectors with stringent compliance requirements or critical infrastructure may face increased risk if endpoint management agents are destabilized. The requirement for local access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where insider threats or lateral movement by attackers are concerns. European enterprises relying heavily on ManageEngine Endpoint Central for centralized endpoint management should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to maintain operational integrity and security.

1. Monitor ZohoCorp communications closely for official patches addressing CVE-2025-5496 and apply updates to Endpoint Central promptly once available. 2. Restrict local access to systems running Endpoint Central agents to trusted and authorized personnel only, minimizing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized users. 3. Implement strict access controls and auditing on endpoints to detect and prevent unauthorized file deletion attempts. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous file operations related to the agent setup component. 5. Conduct regular integrity checks on Endpoint Central agent files and configurations to identify unauthorized changes early. 6. Educate IT staff and administrators about the vulnerability and the importance of maintaining least privilege principles on endpoint systems. 7. Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement opportunities for attackers who gain local access. 8. Review and harden local privilege assignments to reduce the number of users with sufficient rights to exploit this vulnerability.