Mozilla VPN 2.28.0: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2025-5687 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in Mozilla VPN 2.28.0 from Mozilla, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 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. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.13% 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
- Update VPN to 2.28.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on mozilla.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mozilla | Mozilla VPN 2.28.0 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Mozilla | VPN | before 2.28.0 | 2.28.0 |
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
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
A vulnerability in Mozilla VPN on macOS allows privilege escalation from a normal user to root. *This bug only affects Mozilla VPN on macOS. Other operating systems are unaffected.*. This vulnerability was fixed in Mozilla VPN 2.28.0 (macOS).
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
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
Other references
- bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1953736Permissions Required
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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