#VU112581 Link following in PC Manager - CVE-2025-49738

Vulnerability identifier: #VU112581

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-49738

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
PC Manager
Client/Desktop applications / Antivirus software/Personal firewalls

Vendor: Microsoft

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to an insecure link following issue in Microsoft PC Manager. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with privileges of the application.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

PC Manager: before 3.17.4

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External links
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-49738

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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.