Defense Platform Home Edition: Unprotected Windows Messaging Channel
CVE-2025-20094 is a high-severity unprotected windows messaging channel vulnerability in Defense Platform Home Edition from Humming Heads, with a CVSS 3.0 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Defense Platform Home Edition versions: Ver.3.9.51.x and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.15% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Defense Platform Home Edition you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humming Heads | Defense Platform Home Edition | Ver.3.9.51.x and earlier | Not stated |
| Hummingheads | Defense Platform | 3.9.51.0 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (jpcert.or.jp).
Official description
Unprotected Windows messaging channel ('Shatter') issue exists in Defense Platform Home Edition Ver.3.9.51.x and earlier. If an attacker sends a specially crafted message to the specific process of the Windows system where the product is running, arbitrary code may be executed with SYSTEM privilege.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unprotected Windows Messaging Channel
The product does not properly verify the source of a message in the Windows Messaging System while running at elevated privileges, creating an alternate channel through which an attacker can directly send a message to the product.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Always verify and authenticate the source of the message.
More Unprotected Windows Messaging Channel vulnerabilities (CWE-422)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN66673020/Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Defense Platform Home Edition
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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