CVE-2025-49213 in Endpoint Encryption
Summary
by MITRE • 06/18/2025
An insecure deserialization operation in the Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption PolicyServer could lead to a pre-authentication remote code execution on affected installations. Note that this vulnerability is similar to CVE-2025-49212 but is in a different method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-49213 represents a critical security flaw within the Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption PolicyServer component that enables unauthorized remote code execution without requiring authentication. This issue stems from insecure deserialization practices that allow attackers to manipulate serialized data objects during transmission or storage processes. The vulnerability affects installations where the PolicyServer component is deployed and operational, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise endpoint security infrastructure. The flaw specifically manifests in a distinct method pathway compared to CVE-2025-49212, indicating separate code execution points within the software architecture that both present similar exploitation vectors but require different mitigation approaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the PolicyServer's handling of serialized data structures that are processed without adequate validation or sanitization measures. When the system receives serialized objects from external sources, it fails to properly verify the integrity and authenticity of these data structures before deserializing them into executable code. This insecure deserialization pattern creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed within the context of the PolicyServer process. The vulnerability operates at the application level where object deserialization occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional security controls that monitor network traffic or file access patterns. The absence of authentication requirements means that any external party can potentially exploit this flaw, significantly expanding the potential attack surface beyond typical privileged access scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-49213 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete compromise of the affected endpoint encryption infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the PolicyServer, potentially allowing them to modify encryption policies, access encrypted data, or establish persistent backdoors within the organization's security infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe for organizations relying on Trend Micro's endpoint encryption solutions, as this vulnerability directly undermines the core security guarantees provided by the platform. Attackers could leverage this capability to decrypt sensitive information, modify security configurations, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network environment. The pre-authentication nature of the vulnerability means that organizations cannot rely on traditional access control measures to prevent exploitation, as the attack can occur without any user credentials or authentication challenges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying available vendor patches and updates, restricting network access to the affected PolicyServer components, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a security weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1548.002 for privilege escalation through exploitation of insecure deserialization. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual deserialization activity and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strict firewall rules, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any additional vulnerable components within the Trend Micro ecosystem. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure operational stability and prevent unintended service disruptions.