Insecure DLL loading in Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications and SQL Server Management Studio

1) Insecure DLL loading

EUVDB-ID: #VU107291

Risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-29803

CWE-ID: CWE-427 - Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to the application loads DLL libraries in an insecure manner within Visual Studio Tools for Applications and SQL Server Management Studio. A remote user can place a specially crafted .dll file and gain elevated privileges on the system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio: 20.2

Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications: 2019 - 2022

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:sql_server_management_studio:20.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_visual_studio_tools_for_applications:2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:microsoft_visual_studio_tools_for_applications:2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2025-29803

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.