// For flags

CVE-2025-52521

Trend Micro Maximum Security Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track*
*SSVC
Descriptions

Trend Micro Security 17.8 (Consumer) is vulnerable to a link following local privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to unintentionally delete privileged Trend Micro files including its own.

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Trend Micro Maximum Security. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Regain Disk Space functionality. By creating a junction, an attacker can abuse the Platinum Host Service to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM.

*Credits: Simon Zuckerbraun of Trend Zero Day Initiative
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Single
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track*
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Total
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2025-06-17 CVE Reserved
  • 2025-07-08 CVE Published
  • 2025-07-11 CVE Updated
  • 2025-07-16 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-64: Windows Shortcut Following (.LNK)
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Trend Micro, Inc.
Search vendor "Trend Micro, Inc."
 Trend Micro Security (Consumer)
Search vendor "Trend Micro, Inc." for product "Trend Micro Security (Consumer)"
 >= 17.8.0 < 17.8.1476
Search vendor "Trend Micro, Inc." for product "Trend Micro Security (Consumer)" and version " >= 17.8.0 < 17.8.1476"
en
Affected