CVE-2025-9871 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability identified in Razer Synapse 3, specifically version 3.10.228.21112. The root cause is an improper link resolution issue (CWE-59) within the Razer Chroma SDK installer component. This flaw allows an attacker who already has the ability to execute code with low privileges on the system to create symbolic links that the installer follows incorrectly. By exploiting this behavior, the attacker can cause the installer to delete arbitrary files, which can be leveraged to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level. This escalation enables the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, compromising the entire system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require prior low-privilege code execution, which could be achieved through other means such as phishing or local access. The CVSS v3.0 score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the combination of local attack vector, low complexity, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability was assigned by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) as ZDI-CAN-26373 and published on October 29, 2025. The absence of patches at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for defensive measures. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where Razer Synapse 3 is installed, commonly gaming and esports setups, but also potentially in professional settings where Razer hardware and software are used.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-9871 can be significant, especially in sectors where Razer Synapse 3 is widely deployed, such as gaming companies, esports organizations, and creative industries using Razer peripherals. Successful exploitation results in full SYSTEM-level control, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, install persistent malware, or disrupt system availability. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or operational downtime. The vulnerability's local attack vector means that insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold via other vulnerabilities or social engineering could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges rapidly. Given the high gaming market penetration in countries like Germany, France, and the UK, organizations in these countries are at higher risk. Additionally, enterprises with less mature endpoint security or those that allow users administrative rights on workstations are more vulnerable. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as weaponization could occur rapidly after disclosure.

1. Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing unprivileged users from executing arbitrary code or creating symbolic links in sensitive directories. 2. Monitor filesystem activity for suspicious symbolic link creation or deletion operations related to Razer Synapse 3 installation paths. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block unauthorized installer executions or privilege escalation attempts. 4. Isolate systems running Razer Synapse 3 from critical network segments to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. 5. Educate users about the risks of executing untrusted code and enforce strict controls on software installation. 6. Regularly check for and apply official patches or updates from Razer as soon as they become available. 7. Consider temporarily uninstalling or disabling Razer Synapse 3 on critical systems until a patch is released. 8. Implement robust logging and alerting on privilege escalation attempts to enable rapid incident response.