CVE-2025-62552 is a relative path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-23, affecting Microsoft Office 2019, specifically the Access component. This vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate relative file paths to access and execute unauthorized code locally on the victim's machine. The flaw arises from improper validation of file path inputs, enabling traversal outside intended directories. Exploitation requires the victim to interact with a crafted Office file, which triggers the vulnerability and allows execution of arbitrary code with the user's privileges. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and user interaction needed (UI:R). The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all high), meaning an attacker can read, modify, or disrupt data and system operations. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a significant risk. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation through alternative controls. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where Microsoft Office 2019 is widely deployed and where users frequently open files from external or untrusted sources.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Microsoft Office 2019 in both private and public sectors. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially resulting in data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of business operations. Confidential information handled within Office documents could be exposed or altered, undermining data integrity and privacy compliance obligations such as GDPR. The availability impact could disrupt critical workflows reliant on Office applications. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on Office productivity tools and the sensitivity of their data. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could facilitate exploitation, increasing the threat surface. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score demands urgent attention to prevent future attacks.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches immediately upon release to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, implement strict file system permissions to limit Office application's ability to write or execute files in sensitive directories. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block suspicious Office file behaviors and code execution attempts. 4. Educate users on the risks of opening Office documents from untrusted or unknown sources, emphasizing caution with email attachments and downloads. 5. Utilize network segmentation to isolate critical systems and reduce lateral movement in case of compromise. 6. Enable and enforce multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual Office application activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Consider disabling or restricting macros and other scripting features within Office documents where feasible to reduce attack vectors.