CVE-2025-47956: Windows Security App Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-47956 Overview

CVE-2025-47956 is an External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability (CWE-73) affecting Microsoft Windows Security App. This security flaw allows an authorized attacker with local access to perform spoofing attacks by manipulating file names or paths used by the application. The vulnerability poses a significant confidentiality risk, potentially exposing sensitive information to unauthorized actors.

Critical Impact

Local attackers with valid credentials can exploit file path manipulation in Windows Security App to spoof security indicators or access unauthorized data, undermining the trust model of the security application itself.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows Security App (all versions prior to patch)

Discovery Timeline

• June 10, 2025 - CVE-2025-47956 published to NVD
• July 9, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47956

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper validation of file names and paths within the Windows Security App. When the application processes file references, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate externally-controlled input that determines which files are accessed or displayed. An authenticated local user can exploit this weakness to control file path parameters, potentially causing the application to access unintended files or present misleading security information to the user.

The attack requires local access and valid credentials on the target system. Once exploited, the vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive data that the attacker should not have access to through normal application operation. The spoofing aspect allows attackers to manipulate what the security application displays or processes, potentially undermining user trust in security indicators.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-47956 is classified as CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path. This occurs when the application uses external input to construct a file path for accessing files or directories in a restricted parent directory without properly neutralizing special elements within the path name. The Windows Security App fails to implement adequate controls to prevent user-controlled input from influencing critical file path operations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have authenticated access to the target system. The attacker can then manipulate file path parameters consumed by the Windows Security App to achieve spoofing effects. This could involve:

• Substituting legitimate file references with attacker-controlled paths
• Redirecting security status indicators to display falsified information
• Accessing files outside the intended application scope through path manipulation

The attack complexity is low, requiring no user interaction beyond the attacker's own actions. This makes exploitation straightforward once an attacker has local system access with appropriate privileges.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47956

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected file access patterns originating from Windows Security App processes
• Anomalous path resolution requests involving unusual directory traversal patterns
• Modifications to Windows Security App configuration files or associated registry entries
• Suspicious process behavior where SecurityHealth processes access files outside normal operational directories

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows Security App process activity for file access operations outside expected directories
• Implement file integrity monitoring on Windows Security App components and configuration files
• Deploy endpoint detection rules targeting path manipulation patterns in security application contexts
• Enable detailed auditing for file system access events associated with Windows Security App

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure Windows Security Event Log auditing for Object Access events (Event IDs 4656, 4663) related to Windows Security App
• Implement behavioral analysis to detect anomalous file path access patterns from security application processes
• Review audit logs for attempts to access files through non-standard paths via Windows Security App
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity platform for real-time behavioral monitoring and automated threat response

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47956

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest Microsoft security updates for Windows Security App immediately
• Review and restrict local user permissions where possible to limit potential attacker access
• Enable enhanced monitoring on systems until patches can be deployed
• Audit user accounts with local access to identify potentially compromised credentials

Patch Information

Microsoft has released a security update addressing CVE-2025-47956. Detailed patch information and download links are available through the Microsoft Security Update Guide. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this security update across all affected Windows systems.

Administrators should leverage Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager to deploy the patch to affected endpoints in accordance with their patch management policies.

Workarounds

• Implement principle of least privilege for local user accounts to minimize attack surface
• Enable additional access controls and monitoring on systems running Windows Security App
• Consider application whitelisting policies to restrict unauthorized file access patterns
• Apply network segmentation to limit lateral movement from potentially compromised endpoints

# Verify Windows Security App patch status via PowerShell
Get-HotFix | Where-Object {$_.Description -like "*Security Update*"} | Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 10

# Enable enhanced file system auditing
auditpol /set /subcategory:"File System" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Review recent Windows Security App file access events
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security';Id=4663} -MaxEvents 100 | Where-Object {$_.Message -like "*SecurityHealth*"}