How severe is CVE-2025-20298?

CVE-2025-20298 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-20298 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (15th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2025-20298?

CVE-2025-20298 affects Splunk Universal Forwarder. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20298?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2025-20298 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-20298 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-16672.

When was CVE-2025-20298 published?

CVE-2025-20298 was published on 2025-06-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2025-20298

CVE-2025-20298 is a high-severity vulnerability in Splunk Universal Forwarder with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (15th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-16672
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Splunk Universal Forwarder
Published: 2025-06-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Universal Forwarder for Windows versions below 9.4.2, 9.3.4, 9.2.6, and 9.1.9, a new installation of or an upgrade to an affected version can result in incorrect permissions assignment in the Universal Forwarder for Windows Installation directory (by default, C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder). This lets non-administrator users on the machine access the directory and all its contents.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-20298?: In Universal Forwarder for Windows versions below 9.4.2, 9.3.4, 9.2.6, and 9.1.9, a new installation of or an upgrade to an affected version can result in incorrect permissions assignment in the Universal Forwarder for Windows Installation directory (by default, C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder). This lets non-administrator users on the machine access the directory and all its contents.
How severe is CVE-2025-20298?: CVE-2025-20298 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-20298 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (15th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2025-20298?: CVE-2025-20298 affects Splunk Universal Forwarder. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2025-20298?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2025-20298 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2025-20298 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-16672.
When was CVE-2025-20298 published?: CVE-2025-20298 was published on 2025-06-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://advisory.splunk.com/advisories/SVD-2025-0602

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:splunk:universal_forwarder:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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