CVE-2025-61970 in Vitis Embedded Single File Download
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Weak permissions in the Vitis™ Unified installation path on local Windows machines could allow a low-privileged user to create arbitrary code, potentially resulting in binary hijacking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Vitis™ Unified Development Environment installation on Windows systems where inadequate permission controls on the installation directory structure allow low-privileged users to execute arbitrary code through binary hijacking techniques. The core technical issue stems from the installation path lacking proper access control mechanisms that would normally prevent non-administrative users from creating or modifying files within directories designated for system-level software components. When a low-privileged user can manipulate the installation path or create symbolic links that redirect execution flow to malicious binaries, they effectively gain the ability to execute code with elevated privileges, as the legitimate installation process will load and execute their crafted malicious binaries instead of the intended legitimate components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise through lateral movement and persistence mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish backdoors, escalate privileges further within the compromised environment, or deploy additional malware payloads that would otherwise require administrative access. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-276 which defines improper file permissions as a fundamental security flaw allowing unauthorized access to system resources. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and specifically relates to T1546 which addresses event trigger manipulation through binary planting or hijacking.
The underlying technical flaw manifests when the Vitis™ installation process performs path resolution without properly validating the integrity of the installation directory or ensuring that only authorized users can modify components within the installation tree. This creates a scenario where a malicious user can place a crafted DLL or executable file in a location that will be loaded by the legitimate application during normal operation, effectively hijacking execution flow to their own code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users share systems and administrative privileges may not be consistently enforced.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls on the Vitis™ installation directory through Windows permission settings that restrict write access to only authorized administrative accounts. System administrators should ensure that the installation paths are protected using appropriate discretionary access control lists that prevent non-privileged users from creating or modifying files within the installation tree. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and enabling Windows Defender Application Control can prevent unauthorized binaries from executing even if the path hijacking technique is successfully employed. Regular security audits of installation directories should be conducted to identify and remediate any weak permissions that could create similar vulnerabilities in other software installations.