CVE-2025-3771 in System Information Reporter
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2025
A path or symbolic link manipulation vulnerability in SIR 1.0.3 and prior versions allows an authenticated non-admin local user to overwrite system files with SIR backup files, which can potentially cause a system crash. This was achieved by adding a malicious entry to the registry under the Trellix SIR registry folder or via policy or with a junction symbolic link to files that the user would not normally have permission to acces
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3771 represents a critical path manipulation flaw within SIR version 1.0.3 and earlier releases, exploiting a weakness in how the system handles file paths and symbolic links during backup operations. This issue affects authenticated local users who possess non-administrator privileges, creating a significant security risk that could lead to system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically targets the Trellix SIR registry folder structure, where malicious entries can be inserted to manipulate file access controls and permissions. The flaw enables attackers to escalate their privileges by overwriting critical system files through backup mechanisms, effectively bypassing normal access restrictions that would typically prevent such modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages symbolic link manipulation and registry modification techniques that fall under CWE-367, which addresses the improper restriction of operations within a recognized security boundary. Attackers can create junction points or manipulate existing symbolic links to redirect backup operations to sensitive system locations, allowing them to overwrite files that would normally be protected from modification by standard user accounts. The exploit requires an authenticated user context but does not demand administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insider threats or compromised accounts. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates through legitimate system backup mechanisms, making detection more challenging and potentially allowing persistent access to compromised systems.
Operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple file overwrites, as successful exploitation can result in complete system instability and potential crashes. The ability to manipulate system files through backup operations creates opportunities for persistent backdoors, privilege escalation attacks, and complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation through registry modification and persistence mechanisms. The attack vector involves registry manipulation under the Trellix SIR folder structure, which represents a common attack surface for local privilege escalation techniques. Organizations running affected versions of SIR face significant risk of unauthorized system modifications, data corruption, and potential complete system compromise, particularly in environments where local user accounts have access to backup functionality.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected SIR versions to address the path manipulation and symbolic link handling issues. System administrators should implement strict registry access controls and monitor for unauthorized modifications to the Trellix SIR registry keys. The implementation of least privilege principles should be enforced to limit user access to backup and restore operations, while regular monitoring of symbolic link creation and modification should be enabled. Additional protective measures include implementing file integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files and establishing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their backup systems to identify any other potential path manipulation vulnerabilities and ensure that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized registry modifications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in backup and restore functionality, particularly regarding path resolution and symbolic link handling, as specified in industry standards for secure software development.