CVE-2025-9491
Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of .LNK files. Crafted data in an .LNK file can cause hazardous content in the file to be invisible to a user who inspects the file via the Windows-provided user interface. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-25373.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 26, 2025, 5:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 3, 2025, 5:31 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.0 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Apply the latest Windows security updates.
- Avoid opening untrusted LNK files.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2025-9491 has a 1 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2025-9491.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-148/ | Third Party Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-9491 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2025-9491
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
None
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2025-9491 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
-
Ars Technica
Two Windows vulnerabilities, one a 0-day, are under active exploitation
Two Windows vulnerabilities—one a zero-day that has been known to attackers since 2017 and the other a critical flaw that Microsoft initially tried and failed to patch recently—are under active exploi ... Read more
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Help Net Security
Unpatched Windows vulnerability continues to be exploited by APTs (CVE-2025-9491)
A Windows vulnerability (CVE-2025-9491, aka ZDI-CAN-25373) that state-sponsored threat actors and cybercrime groups have been quietly leveraging since at least 2017 continues to be exploited for attac ... Read more
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The Hacker News
China-Linked Hackers Exploit Windows Shortcut Flaw to Target European Diplomats
Oct 31, 2025Ravie LakshmananMalware / Threat Intelligence A China-affiliated threat actor known as UNC6384 has been linked to a fresh set of attacks exploiting an unpatched Windows shortcut vulnerab ... Read more
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security.nl
'Diplomaten aangevallen via Windows-lek waarvoor geen patch beschikbaar is'
Aanvallers maken actief misbruik van een kwetsbaarheid in Windows waarvoor geen beveiligingsupdate beschikbaar is. Dat meldt securitybedrijf Arctic Wolf. Het beveiligingslek zou onder andere zijn inge ... Read more
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BleepingComputer
Windows zero-day actively exploited to spy on European diplomats
A China-linked hacking group is exploiting a Windows zero-day in attacks targeting European diplomats in Hungary, Belgium, and other European nations. According to Arctic Wolf Labs, the attack chain b ... Read more
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The Register
Suspected Chinese snoops weaponize unpatched Windows flaw to spy on European diplomats
Cyber spies linked to the Chinese government exploited a Windows shortcut vulnerability disclosed in March – but that Microsoft hasn't fixed yet – to target European diplomats in an effort to steal de ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2025-9491 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Sep. 03, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:10.0.22631.4169:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* Added Reference Type Zero Day Initiative: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-148/ Types: Third Party Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Aug. 26, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of .LNK files. Crafted data in an .LNK file can cause hazardous content in the file to be invisible to a user who inspects the file via the Windows-provided user interface. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-25373. Added CVSS V3 AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-451 Added Reference https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-148/