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CVE-2025-9491: Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

• Severity: high (CVSS 7.8 v3.1)
• Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
• EPSS: 76.0% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
• Public exploit or detection template: none known
• Published: 2025-08-26 · updated 2026-06-17
• Weakness: CWE-451

Description

Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of .LNK files. Crafted data in an .LNK file can cause hazardous content in the file to be invisible to a user who inspects the file via the Windows-provided user interface. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-25373.

Affected products

• Microsoft Windows 11: 10.0.22631.4169
• Microsoft Corporation Windows: 11 Enterprise 23H2 22631.4169 x64

References

• https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-148/
• https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/advisory/ADV25258226
• https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/a55789d49c395a9b16cb56b0544266d9ecee409fa3c5fead8082f28c2aff4e76

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