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

CVE-2025-29803 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio caused by an uncontrolled search path element. Authorized attackers can exploit this flaw to elevate privileges locally. This article covers technical details, affected versions, impact assessment, and mitigation strategies.

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.

bash

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