CVE-2025-8485 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) found in the Lenovo App Store. The issue arises because the application sets improper default permissions during the installation process, allowing a local authenticated user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This means that a user with standard local access rights can leverage the vulnerability to gain higher-level privileges, potentially administrative, on the affected system. The vulnerability requires user interaction (UI:P) and local access (AV:L), but does not require prior authentication beyond local user status (PR:L). The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates low attack complexity (AC:L) and no need for authentication tokens (AT:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H), meaning an attacker could fully compromise the system. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The affected product is the Lenovo App Store, which is pre-installed or available on Lenovo devices, primarily Windows-based laptops and desktops. The vulnerability is significant because it allows privilege escalation from a local user context, which could be leveraged in multi-user environments or by malware that has gained limited access. The lack of network vector reduces remote exploitation risk but does not diminish the threat in environments where local access is possible.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily in environments where Lenovo devices are widely used, such as corporate offices, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors. Successful exploitation could allow attackers or malicious insiders to escalate privileges, bypass security controls, and execute arbitrary code with administrative rights. This could lead to data breaches, disruption of services, installation of persistent malware, or lateral movement within networks. The local nature of the attack means that physical or remote desktop access is required, which is feasible in many enterprise scenarios. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability could result in severe operational and reputational damage. Additionally, sectors with strict regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR) may face compliance issues if the vulnerability leads to data exposure. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity demands urgent attention.

1. Monitor Lenovo’s official channels for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-8485 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Restrict local user permissions rigorously, ensuring users do not have unnecessary rights that could facilitate exploitation. 3. Implement application whitelisting to control which applications and installers can run on endpoints. 4. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual installation activities or privilege escalation attempts. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing unauthorized applications and the importance of reporting suspicious behavior. 6. Employ least privilege principles for all user accounts and regularly audit local user permissions. 7. Where possible, disable or limit the use of the Lenovo App Store if it is not essential for business operations. 8. Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised device. 9. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on local privilege escalation vectors. 10. Maintain robust incident response plans to quickly contain and remediate any exploitation attempts.