How severe is CVE-2025-9491?

CVE-2025-9491 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-9491 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 63% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2025-9491?

CVE-2025-9491 affects Microsoft Windows 11 23h2. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2025-9491?

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-2025-9491 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-9491 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-28860.

When was CVE-2025-9491 published?

CVE-2025-9491 was published on 2025-08-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2025-9491

CVE-2025-9491 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 23h2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 63% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-451.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v4: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 63% (99th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-28860
Weakness: CWE-451
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 11 23h2
Published: 2025-08-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of .LNK files. Crafted data in an .LNK file can cause hazardous content in the file to be invisible to a user who inspects the file via the Windows-provided user interface. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-25373.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-9491?: Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of .LNK files. Crafted data in an .LNK file can cause hazardous content in the file to be invisible to a user who inspects the file via the Windows-provided user interface. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-25373.
How severe is CVE-2025-9491?: CVE-2025-9491 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-9491 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 63% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2025-9491?: CVE-2025-9491 affects Microsoft Windows 11 23h2. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2025-9491?: 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-2025-9491 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2025-9491 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-28860.
When was CVE-2025-9491 published?: CVE-2025-9491 was published on 2025-08-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:10.0.22631.4169:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 11 23h2

CVE-2025-49708 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Use after free in Microsoft Graphics Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-47291 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Integer overflow or wraparound in Windows HTTP.sys allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
CVE-2026-45657 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
CVE-2026-44815 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Stack-based buffer overflow in Windows DHCP Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
CVE-2026-41096 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
CVE-2026-33824 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Double free in Windows IKE Extension allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

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Other CWE-451 vulnerabilities

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