CVE-2025-0147: Zoom Meeting SDK Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-0147 Overview

CVE-2025-0147 is a type confusion vulnerability affecting the Zoom Workplace App for Linux before version 6.2.10. This vulnerability may allow an authorized user to conduct an escalation of privilege via network access. Type confusion vulnerabilities occur when a program allocates or initializes a resource using one type but later accesses it using an incompatible type, potentially leading to memory corruption and code execution.

Critical Impact

This type confusion vulnerability enables privilege escalation through network access, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated permissions on affected Linux systems running vulnerable versions of Zoom applications.

Affected Products

• Zoom Workplace Desktop for Linux (versions before 6.2.10)
• Zoom Meeting Software Development Kit for Linux (versions before 6.2.10)
• Zoom Video Software Development Kit for Linux (versions before 6.2.10)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-30 - CVE-2025-0147 published to NVD
• 2025-08-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-0147

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type, or Type Confusion). Type confusion vulnerabilities arise when software fails to verify the type of an object before performing operations on it. In the context of Zoom Workplace App for Linux, this flaw enables an attacker with initial authorized access to exploit the type mismatch to escalate their privileges on the system.

The network-based attack vector means the exploitation can occur remotely without requiring local access to the target machine. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and can be exploited with low attack complexity, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Zoom is widely deployed on Linux workstations.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper type handling within the Zoom Workplace App for Linux. When the application processes certain data structures, it fails to properly validate and enforce type consistency. This allows an attacker to supply data that is interpreted as a different type than intended, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote exploitation. An authorized user with network access to a vulnerable Zoom installation can craft malicious input that triggers the type confusion condition. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker can escalate their privileges, potentially gaining elevated access to the underlying Linux system.

The vulnerability mechanism involves the application misinterpreting data types during processing. When crafted input causes the application to access memory using an incompatible type, it can lead to memory corruption. Attackers can leverage this corruption to manipulate program execution flow and achieve privilege escalation. For complete technical details, refer to the Zoom Security Bulletin ZSB-25006.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0147

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or abnormal behavior in Zoom Workplace App processes on Linux systems
• Unusual network traffic patterns to/from Zoom application components
• Evidence of privilege escalation attempts in system logs following Zoom application activity
• Anomalous memory access patterns or segmentation faults in Zoom-related processes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Zoom application logs for unusual errors or exceptions related to type handling or memory operations
• Implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns targeting Zoom services
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify privilege escalation attempts
• Use application whitelisting to detect unauthorized process spawning from Zoom application context

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for Zoom applications on Linux endpoints
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on privilege escalation indicators following Zoom process activity
• Monitor for unusual process hierarchies where Zoom spawns unexpected child processes
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical system files to detect post-exploitation modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0147

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Zoom Workplace Desktop for Linux to version 6.2.10 or later immediately
• Update Zoom Meeting SDK and Video SDK for Linux to version 6.2.10 or later
• Audit all Linux systems to identify vulnerable Zoom installations
• Consider temporarily restricting network access to Zoom applications until patches are applied

Patch Information

Zoom has released version 6.2.10 which addresses this type confusion vulnerability. Organizations should update all affected Zoom products on Linux systems to this version or later. Detailed patch information is available in the Zoom Security Bulletin ZSB-25006.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to Zoom applications using host-based firewalls until patching is complete
• Limit user permissions on Linux systems running vulnerable Zoom versions to reduce privilege escalation impact
• Consider using alternative communication platforms on Linux until updates can be deployed
• Implement network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable Zoom installations

# Verify Zoom version on Linux systems
zoom --version

# Update Zoom via package manager (example for Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install zoom

# Restrict network access temporarily if patching is delayed
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -m owner --uid-owner zoom -j DROP