CVE-2025-62186 is a vulnerability identified in Ankitects Anki, a popular spaced repetition flashcard application, affecting versions prior to 25.02.5 on Windows platforms. The root cause is improper handling of URL schemes embedded within shared decks, specifically when playing audio content. This flaw falls under CWE-829, which involves the inclusion of functionality from an untrusted control sphere, meaning that the application trusts and executes potentially malicious content originating from untrusted sources. An attacker can craft a malicious shared deck that, when opened and audio is played, triggers execution of arbitrary commands on the victim's Windows system. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the victim to open the malicious deck, but no privileges or user interaction beyond opening the deck and playing audio are needed. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.7, reflecting medium severity with high impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability. The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute code that compromises sensitive data or alters flashcard content, undermining trustworthiness and data integrity. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The lack of user interaction (UI:N) beyond deck opening and audio playback increases the risk of unnoticed exploitation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where Anki is used to store sensitive educational or research data. The technical details emphasize the need for improved URL scheme validation and sandboxing of media playback components within Anki on Windows.

For European organizations, especially educational institutions, research centers, and language learning platforms that rely on Anki for knowledge retention, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The ability to execute arbitrary commands can lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or lateral movement within networks if the compromised machine is connected to organizational resources. Confidentiality is at high risk since attackers could exfiltrate sensitive learning materials or user data. Integrity is also compromised as attackers could alter flashcard content, potentially misleading users or corrupting educational data. Although availability impact is low, the breach of trust and potential data loss can disrupt learning processes. The medium CVSS score reflects the need for timely mitigation but suggests that exploitation is not trivial. European organizations with Windows-based Anki deployments should be vigilant, as the vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks or via malicious shared decks distributed through educational forums or platforms. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, especially given the widespread use of Anki in Europe.

1. Immediately update Anki to version 25.02.5 or later once the patch is released to address this vulnerability. 2. Until patching is possible, disable automatic audio playback in Anki settings to prevent triggering the malicious URL scheme execution. 3. Restrict the use of shared decks to trusted sources only; implement organizational policies to verify the origin of decks before importing. 4. Employ application sandboxing or use Windows security features such as AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control to limit Anki's ability to execute arbitrary commands. 5. Conduct user awareness training focusing on the risks of importing untrusted shared decks and recognizing suspicious behavior. 6. Monitor endpoint security logs for unusual command execution or process behavior originating from Anki. 7. Consider network segmentation for devices running Anki to limit potential lateral movement if compromised. 8. Engage with Ankitects community and security advisories to stay updated on patches and exploit developments.