Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path Vulnerability
Microsoft · Windows
CVSS 8.8
EPSS 81%
no public exploit indexed
Fix deadline passed 1 July 2025
What it is
Microsoft Windows contains an external control of file name or path vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute code from a remote WebDAV location specified by the WorkingDirectory attribute of Internet Shortcut files.
Why we say that
- EPSS puts exploitation in the next 30 days at 81%
- CISA's federal remediation deadline (2025-07-01) has passed
- Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
Every line above comes from a named public source. Where the evidence is thin, we say so rather than inventing confidence — see methodology.
What to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
What it costs when this goes wrong
This is where UK enforcement meets the vulnerability record. Where an unfixed vulnerability leads to a breach, the ICO treats it as a security failure under UK GDPR. Recent cases:
- The Electoral Commission Reprimand issued to the Electoral Commission in respect of Articles 5(1)(f) and 32(1)(b). Between 24 August 2021 and 27 October 20…
- Gain Capital UK Limited Gain Capital UK have been issued a Reprimand in respect of Articles 32 (2) and 32 (1) (b). An unauthorised third party leveraged a…
- Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment An unauthorised third party exploited a known vulnerability in the Sitefinity software to leverage a bruteforce attack to upload a…