Trend Micro Apex One: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CVE-2025-49155 is a high-severity uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One from Trend Micro, 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 14.0.0.14002 as the first without the flaw, so updating Trend Micro Apex One to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.98% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 63% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Trend Micro Apex One to 14.0.0.14002 or a later version.
- Update Trend Micro Apex One as a Service to 14.0.14492 or a later version.
- Update Apex One to 14.0.14492 or 14.0.0.14002, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on success.trendmicro.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trend Micro | Trend Micro Apex One | 2019 (14.0) up to, but not including, 14.0.0.14002 | 14.0.0.14002 |
| Trend Micro | Trend Micro Apex One as a Service | SaaS up to, but not including, 14.0.14492 | 14.0.14492 |
| Trend Micro | Apex One | before 14.0.14492; 14.0.0.12994 up to, but not including, 14.0.0.14002 | 14.0.14492, 14.0.0.14002 |
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
- 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 (trendmicro.com).
Official description
An uncontrolled search path vulnerability in the Trend Micro Apex One Data Loss Prevention module could allow an attacker to inject malicious code leading to arbitrary code execution on affected installations.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Hard-code the search path to a set of known-safe values (such as system directories), or only allow them to be specified by the administrator in a configuration file. Do not allow these settings to be modified by an external party. Be careful to avoid related weaknesses such as CWE-426 and CWE-428.
- When invoking other programs, specify those programs using fully-qualified pathnames. While this is an effective approach, code that uses fully-qualified pathnames might not be portable to other systems that do not use the same pathnames. The portability can be improved by locating the full-qualified paths in a centralized, easily-modifiable location within the source code, and having the code refer to these paths.
- Remove or restrict all environment settings before invoking other programs. This includes the PATH environment variable, LD_LIBRARY_PATH, and other settings that identify the location of code libraries, and any application-specific search paths.
More Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerabilities (CWE-427)
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
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-362/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Apex One
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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