CVE-2025-29803: SQL Server Management Studio Privilege Escalation

CVE-2025-29803 Overview

Uncontrolled search path element in Visual Studio Tools for Applications and SQL Server Management Studio allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows a local attacker with user privileges to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges.

Affected Products

• Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
• Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications 2019
• Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications 2022

Discovery Timeline

• Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
• Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Microsoft
• Not Available - CVE CVE-2025-29803 assigned
• Not Available - Microsoft releases security patch
• 2025-04-12 - CVE CVE-2025-29803 published to NVD
• 2025-07-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-29803

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from an uncontrolled search path element. When applications search dynamically linked libraries (DLLs), an attacker may exploit this to execute malicious code by placing a rogue DLL in a trusted directory.

Root Cause

The issue arises due to the improper handling of DLL load paths that do not verify the integrity of the DLL location.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted locally by placing a malicious DLL where it will be loaded by the vulnerable software.

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
#include <windows.h>

BOOL APIENTRY DllMain(HMODULE hModule,
                      DWORD  ul_reason_for_call,
                      LPVOID lpReserved) {
    switch (ul_reason_for_call) {
    case DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH:
        MessageBox(NULL, "Exploited!", "DLL Injection", MB_OK);
        break;
    }
    return TRUE;
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-29803

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected DLL files in application directories
• Anomalous application behavior
• Unexplained privilege escalations

Detection Strategies

Monitoring file system changes and probing for unauthorized DLLs in the application's directory could indicate exploitation attempts. File integrity monitoring systems can alert on suspicious modifications.

Monitoring Recommendations

Implement real-time monitoring for file creation and access patterns. Use heuristic scanning with SentinelOne Endpoint Protection to detect anomalous DLL loading behavior.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-29803

Immediate Actions Required

• Validate DLLs and their directories
• Educate users on the risks of privilege escalation
• Restrict user permissions to write in application directories

Patch Information

Consult the Vendor Advisory for security updates and patch details.

Workarounds

If immediate patching is not possible, use AppLocker or similar technologies to restrict DLL execution to verified directories.

# Configuration example
New-AppLockerPolicy -FilePath .\applocker_policy.xml -Xml