CVE-2025-47966 in Power Automate for Desktop
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2025
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor in Power Automate allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-47966 represents a critical exposure of sensitive information within Microsoft Power Automate that enables unauthorized actors to escalate their privileges over a network. This flaw exists within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the Power Automate platform, specifically affecting how sensitive session tokens and access credentials are handled during network operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions and insufficient isolation between different privilege levels within the automated workflow environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain elevated access rights that would normally be restricted to authorized administrative users or privileged accounts. The exposure occurs when the system fails to properly verify the identity and authorization level of entities attempting to access network resources through Power Automate workflows. This creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate session data and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems or data repositories that are protected by standard access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of authentication tokens and session management within Power Automate's network communication protocols. When users interact with automated workflows that involve network operations, the system should validate that each request originates from an authorized entity with appropriate privilege levels. However, the flaw allows attackers to intercept or manipulate authentication contexts, enabling them to impersonate higher-privilege users within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of identity management and network security, where the system's failure to properly enforce access controls creates an attack surface that can be exploited through man-in-the-middle techniques or by leveraging existing compromised credentials. The issue is particularly concerning because Power Automate is designed to facilitate automated business processes that often involve sensitive data transfers and system interactions, making the exposure of underlying authentication mechanisms especially dangerous.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-47966 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized network access. Organizations utilizing Power Automate for critical business processes face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network infrastructure, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system manipulation, or lateral movement within their network environment. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have already gained initial access to the Power Automate environment, using the privilege escalation capabilities to move deeper into the organization's network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the security posture of entire organizations that rely on automated workflows for business operations. The attack vector typically involves intercepting network communications or manipulating existing authenticated sessions to gain elevated access rights, which aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access domains. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when Power Automate workflows are configured to interact with sensitive systems or databases without proper access controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced monitoring of Power Automate network traffic, implementation of network segmentation, and review of existing authentication policies. The recommended approach involves deploying additional authentication layers and ensuring that all network communications through Power Automate are properly encrypted and authenticated. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of existing Power Automate workflows to identify potential exposure points and implement stricter access controls for automated network operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper session management and authentication validation within automated workflow systems, which aligns with security standards such as those outlined in the CWE database under categories related to authentication and privilege management. Organizations must also consider implementing zero-trust network access principles for any systems that interact with Power Automate workflows, ensuring that every network request is validated regardless of its origin within the network infrastructure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other automated workflow systems or network integration points.