CVE-2025-43993 Overview
CVE-2025-43993 is an Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability [CWE-428] affecting Dell Wireless 5932e and Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 Firmware and GNSS/GPS Driver in versions prior to 3.2.0.22. A local attacker with low privileges can exploit the flaw to achieve code execution on affected Dell endpoints. The weakness impacts multiple Dell Latitude, Precision, and Pro Rugged laptops and tablets that ship the vulnerable driver package. Dell disclosed the issue in security advisory DSA-2025-363 on September 25, 2025.
Critical Impact
A low-privileged local user can place a malicious executable along an unquoted service path and gain code execution with the privileges of the driver service, typically SYSTEM.
Affected Products
- Dell Wireless 5932e and Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 Firmware and GNSS/GPS Driver prior to 3.2.0.22
- Dell Latitude 5350, 5450, 5550, 7030 Rugged Extreme Tablet, 7350, 7350 Detachable, 7450, 7650, and 9450 2-in-1
- Dell Precision 3490, 3590, Mobile Precision 3591, Pro Rugged 13 RA13250, and Pro Rugged 14 RB14250
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-25 - CVE-2025-43993 published to NVD
- 2025-09-25 - Dell releases security advisory DSA-2025-363
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-43993
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw is classified as an Unquoted Search Path or Element weakness [CWE-428]. When a Windows service or scheduled task registers an executable path that contains spaces but is not enclosed in quotation marks, the Windows service control manager searches each whitespace-delimited path component in sequence. An attacker who can write to a higher-priority directory in that search order can plant a malicious binary that Windows loads instead of the legitimate driver executable.
The vulnerable Dell Wireless 5932e and Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 Firmware and GNSS/GPS Driver installs a service whose ImagePath is not properly quoted. Because driver-related services generally start under the LocalSystem account, successful hijacking yields code execution at SYSTEM. The attack requires only local access and low privileges, with no user interaction.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper handling of file paths that contain embedded spaces in the driver's service registration. The installer registers the service ImagePath without wrapping it in quotation marks, leaving each intermediate directory as a potential resolution target for the Windows service loader.
Attack Vector
An authenticated local user enumerates services and identifies the unquoted path pointing to the affected Dell driver binary under a directory such as C:\Program Files\.... If the attacker holds write permissions to any intermediate directory in that path, they drop a malicious executable named after the first whitespace-delimited path segment. On the next service start or system reboot, Windows executes the attacker's binary with the service account's privileges. Refer to the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-363 for vendor-specific technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43993
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected executable files created in directories such as C:\Program.exe or intermediate Program Files path segments.
- New or modified files matching the first token of a service ImagePath that contains spaces.
- Service start events where the resolved binary path differs from the vendor-installed driver location.
- Child processes of services.exe running from non-standard directories.
Detection Strategies
- Query the Windows service configuration and flag any service whose ImagePath contains spaces without surrounding quotation marks.
- Correlate SYSTEM-level process creation events with parent process services.exe and unusual image paths.
- Compare the running driver version against 3.2.0.22 across the fleet to identify unpatched endpoints.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor Windows Security event ID 4688 and Sysmon event ID 1 for process creation from writable path prefixes under C:\Program Files.
- Alert on file creation events (Sysmon event ID 11) targeting the parent directories of unquoted service paths.
- Track modifications to the HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services registry hive that alter ImagePath values.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43993
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Dell Wireless 5932e and Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 Firmware and GNSS/GPS Driver to version 3.2.0.22 or later on every affected Dell Latitude, Precision, and Pro Rugged device.
- Audit affected endpoints for services with unquoted ImagePath values and confirm the driver package has been fully upgraded.
- Restrict write permissions on any intermediate directories within C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86).
Patch Information
Dell has published fixed driver versions and remediation guidance in Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-363. Apply the update through Dell Command Update, Dell SupportAssist, or by downloading the driver package directly from Dell's support site.
Workarounds
- Manually quote the vulnerable service ImagePath in the registry until the vendor update can be deployed.
- Enforce standard-user permissions and remove write access to root directories on the system drive for non-administrative accounts.
- Restrict local logon rights on affected endpoints to reduce the population of users capable of exploiting the flaw.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
