Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer 9.29.1974.0 missing initialization ⚔ [Disputed]

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer 9.29.1974.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality. This manipulation causes missing initialization. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-68623. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. The actual existence of this vulnerability is currently in question.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer 9.29.1974.0. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a missing initialization vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-456. The product does not initialize critical variables, which causes the execution environment to use unexpected values. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer 9.29.1974.0, a low-privilege user can replace an executable file during the installation process, which may result in unintended elevation of privileges. During installation, the installer runs with HIGH integrity and downloads executables and DLLs to the %TEMP% folder - writable by standard users. Subsequently, the installer executes the downloaded executable with HIGH integrity to complete the application installation. However, an attacker can replace the downloaded executable with a malicious, user-controlled executable. When the installer executes this replaced file, it runs the attacker's code with HIGH integrity. Since code running at HIGH integrity can escalate to SYSTEM level by registering and executing a service, this creates a complete privilege escalation chain from standard user to SYSTEM. NOTE: The Supplier disputes this record stating that they have determined this to be the behavior as designed.

The advisory is shared at talosintelligence.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-68623 since 12/19/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 03/14/2026).

The real existence of this vulnerability is still doubted at the moment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2025-208593). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

Version

• 9.29.1974.0

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.microsoft.com/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion