CVE-2025-27483 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2025
Out-of-bounds read in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-27483 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Windows NTFS file system implementation that enables local privilege escalation attacks. This issue resides in the core file system driver responsible for managing NTFS volume operations and metadata handling. The flaw manifests when the system processes specific file system operations that involve reading data structures beyond their allocated memory boundaries. Such out-of-bounds read conditions typically occur during file attribute processing, directory enumeration, or file system metadata validation routines where insufficient bounds checking permits access to adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects the ntfs.sys driver component which handles NTFS file system operations at the kernel level, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors who can leverage this flaw to gain elevated system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the NTFS file system driver's memory management routines. When processing certain file system operations, the driver fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes before performing memory reads, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate file system structures and trigger memory access violations. This flaw operates at the kernel level where the privilege separation between user-mode applications and system services breaks down, allowing local attackers to execute code with SYSTEM-level privileges. The out-of-bounds read condition can potentially expose sensitive kernel memory contents or cause system instability through memory corruption. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and CWE-131, which covers improper handling of length parameters. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system access but provides a pathway for privilege escalation that can ultimately lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-27483 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation as it creates a persistent backdoor opportunity for attackers who gain initial access to a system. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially enabling them to install rootkits, modify system files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The attack vector requires local system access, meaning attackers must first obtain user-level credentials or exploit another vulnerability to reach the target system. However, the privilege escalation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local access is common or where attackers can leverage other initial compromise vectors. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server operating systems, making it a widespread concern for enterprise security teams. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and T1547.001, 'Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder', as attackers may use the elevated privileges to establish persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-27483 should focus on both immediate patch management and operational security measures. Microsoft has released security updates addressing this vulnerability through the regular Windows update cycle, and system administrators should prioritize applying these patches immediately to all affected systems. In environments where patch deployment is delayed, organizations can implement additional controls such as disabling unnecessary file system access, monitoring for suspicious file system operations, and implementing application whitelisting to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation by attackers using automated tools, so network monitoring for unusual file system activity should be enhanced. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for abnormal memory access patterns or kernel-level code execution. The mitigation approach should also include regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Windows and establish incident response procedures specifically targeting kernel-level privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Organizations should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.