CVE-2025-8098 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Lenovo PC Manager, a utility software commonly pre-installed on Lenovo personal computers to assist with system maintenance and updates. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276, which pertains to Incorrect Default Permissions. Specifically, this flaw arises from improper permission settings on certain files or resources within the Lenovo PC Manager application, allowing a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges on the affected system. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.5 reflects the significant risk posed by this vulnerability. The vector metrics indicate that the attack requires local access (AV:L) and low attack complexity (AC:L), but no authentication is needed (AT:N) beyond local access, and no user interaction is required (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H), meaning an attacker could potentially gain full control over the system or access sensitive data. The scope is unchanged (SC:N), and there are no privileges required beyond local user rights (PR:L). This vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been publicly released as of the publication date. However, the risk remains substantial due to the ease of exploitation once local access is obtained and the potential for privilege escalation to system or administrative levels. Lenovo PC Manager’s role in managing system components and updates makes it a critical component; exploitation could lead to persistent control or disruption of system operations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and public sector institutions relying on Lenovo hardware with PC Manager installed. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities can enable attackers who have gained limited local access—via phishing, insider threats, or physical access—to elevate their privileges to administrative levels, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of business-critical applications, and the deployment of further malware or ransomware. Given the widespread use of Lenovo devices across European businesses and government agencies, exploitation could impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems. Additionally, organizations in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure may face compliance and legal repercussions if such vulnerabilities are exploited. The lack of a patch increases the urgency for mitigation, as attackers may develop exploits targeting this vulnerability once it becomes widely known.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-8098. First, restrict local access to Lenovo devices by enforcing strict physical security controls and limiting user permissions to the minimum necessary. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Disable or uninstall Lenovo PC Manager if it is not essential for operational purposes, or restrict its execution through application whitelisting and group policy controls. Regularly audit file and folder permissions related to Lenovo PC Manager to identify and correct any improper settings. Until an official patch is released, consider deploying host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) to block unauthorized attempts to modify system files or escalate privileges. Additionally, educate users about the risks of local access threats and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the likelihood of initial compromise. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential exploitation.