CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-33053Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-33053 is a high-severity external control of file name or path vulnerability in Windows 10 Version 1507 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 10.0.10240.21034 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows 10 Version 1507 to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on June 10, 2025, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Update Windows 10 Version 1507 to 10.0.10240.21034 or a later version.
  2. Update Windows 10 Version 1607 to 10.0.14393.8148 or a later version.
  3. Update Windows 10 Version 1809 to 10.0.17763.7434 or a later version.
  4. CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  5. Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  6. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  7. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 150710.0.10240.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.10240.2103410.0.10240.21034
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 160710.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.814810.0.14393.8148
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 180910.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.743410.0.17763.7434
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 21H210.0.19044.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19044.596510.0.19044.5965
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 22H210.0.19045.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19045.596510.0.19045.5965
MicrosoftWindows 11 version 22H210.0.22621.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22621.547210.0.22621.5472
MicrosoftWindows 11 version 22H310.0.22631.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22631.547210.0.22631.5472
MicrosoftWindows 11 Version 23H210.0.22631.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22631.547210.0.22631.5472
MicrosoftWindows 11 Version 24H210.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.434910.0.26100.4349
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 16.1.7601.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7601.277696.1.7601.27769
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)6.1.7601.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7601.277696.1.7601.27769
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 Service Pack 26.0.6003.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.6003.233516.0.6003.23351
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)6.0.6003.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.6003.233516.0.6003.23351
MicrosoftWindows Server 20126.2.9200.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.9200.255226.2.9200.25522
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)6.2.9200.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.9200.255226.2.9200.25522
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012 R26.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.226206.3.9600.22620
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)6.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.226206.3.9600.22620
MicrosoftWindows Server 201610.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.814810.0.14393.8148
MicrosoftWindows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.814810.0.14393.8148
MicrosoftWindows Server 201910.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.743410.0.17763.7434
MicrosoftWindows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.743410.0.17763.7434
MicrosoftWindows Server 202210.0.20348.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.20348.380710.0.20348.3807
MicrosoftWindows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation)10.0.25398.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.25398.166510.0.25398.1665
MicrosoftWindows Server 202510.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.434910.0.26100.4349
MicrosoftWindows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.434910.0.26100.4349

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 10 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
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:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (microsoft.com).

Official description

External control of file name or path in Internet Shortcut Files allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: External Control of File Name or Path

The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • When the set of filenames is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames, and reject all other inputs. For example, ID 1 could map to inbox.txt and ID 2 could map to profile.txt. Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap provide this capability.
  • Run your code in a jail or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict all access to files within a particular directory. Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection. This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise. Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

More External Control of File Name or Path vulnerabilities (CWE-73)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  3. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  4. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Windows 10 Version 1507

All Windows 10 Version 1507 vulnerabilities

Recent External Control of File Name or Path vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.