CVE-2025-21272 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2025
Windows COM Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2026
This vulnerability involves a Windows COM server information disclosure flaw that allows attackers to extract sensitive system information through improper handling of component object model interfaces. The issue stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of COM server responses, enabling unauthorized access to internal system details that should remain protected. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities represent a significant risk as they provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for planning more sophisticated attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when Windows COM servers fail to properly restrict access to internal metadata and registration information stored within the component object model framework. This occurs due to inadequate implementation of access control mechanisms and missing security boundaries around COM interface methods. The vulnerability typically affects systems running Windows operating systems where COM components are actively utilized, particularly in enterprise environments where distributed COM services are prevalent. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific COM requests that trigger the information disclosure behavior, often through automation tools or custom exploitation scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering as it enables adversaries to map system architecture and identify potential attack vectors within the COM ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain detailed information about registered COM objects, their interfaces, method signatures, and internal system configurations that would otherwise remain hidden. This intelligence can significantly reduce the effort required for subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the COM framework. The disclosure may also reveal sensitive details about system components that could be leveraged in targeted attacks against specific applications or services.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms within COM server implementations. Organizations should ensure that COM servers properly validate all incoming requests and restrict information exposure through appropriate security boundaries. System administrators should review and harden COM component registrations, disable unnecessary COM interfaces, and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surface. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate any improper COM server configurations that might expose sensitive system information. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 Information Exposure and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving reconnaissance and credential access through system information gathering activities.