A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in libretro RetroArch up to 1.19.1 on Windows. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality in the library profapi.dll of the component Startup. The manipulation leads to untrusted search path. An attack has to be approached locally. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.8, classified as medium severity, indicating that it poses a moderate risk to organizations. This score reflects a local attack vector with low complexity and low privileges required, meaning that an attacker could exploit the vulnerability without needing significant resources or permissions.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information or execution of arbitrary code. Given the local attack vector, it is essential for organizations to assess their security posture and ensure that they are not vulnerable to this issue.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent any exploitation attempts, especially in environments where libretro RetroArch is deployed.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question affects libretro RetroArch, specifically the profapi.dll library component. The vulnerability leads to an untrusted search path, which can be exploited locally. The vendor has not provided a response regarding this issue.
The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-426, indicating that it is related to the use of untrusted search paths. This type of weakness allows an attacker to manipulate the environment to load malicious libraries.
As of now, the vulnerability status is marked as Deferred, and there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept code available.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of search paths within the profapi.dll library. If an attacker can manipulate these paths, they may be able to load malicious libraries, leading to various forms of exploitation.
The attack vector is categorized as local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, indicating that the conditions required for a successful attack are minimal.
No user interaction is required for the exploitation of this vulnerability, making it more dangerous. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as low, suggesting that while the risk exists, the potential damage may be controlled.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is associated with this vulnerability due to its local attack vector and low complexity. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute unauthorized code or access sensitive data, particularly in environments where local access is attainable.
Organizations running libretro RetroArch should assess their exposure to this vulnerability, especially if they allow local access to their systems. The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score indicates that while the risk is medium, organizations should act swiftly to mitigate potential threats.
The potential blast radius of this vulnerability depends on the deployment scope of libretro RetroArch. If widely implemented, the impact could be significant, affecting multiple users and operations.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects libretro RetroArch versions up to 1.19.1 on Windows. Organizations should ensure that they are using the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately by upgrading to the latest version of libretro RetroArch. If a patch is not available, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting local access to the application and monitoring for unusual activity. Additionally, configuration hardening can minimize exposure to potential exploits.
For ongoing security assurance, organizations may consider leveraging penetration testing services to validate their defenses against potential vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for indicators of exploitation attempts is crucial. Look for unusual behavior associated with the profapi.dll library and any unauthorized modifications or access attempts to the application.
Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected application crashes or performance degradation, may also indicate an attempted exploitation. Furthermore, establishing network signatures that can alert security teams to suspicious activity associated with this vulnerability can aid in detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential to be exploited in environments with less stringent security controls. Security teams should remain vigilant and consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape.
Patterns of vulnerabilities related to untrusted search paths are common in many applications. This highlights the importance of secure coding practices and thorough testing to identify and mitigate such weaknesses.
Organizations are encouraged to develop a comprehensive vulnerability management program to proactively address such risks and continually assess their security posture.
For deeper insights into securing applications, organizations may refer to resources on penetration testing methodology and the latest trends in application vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, maintaining awareness of vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-0459 is essential for effective risk management and defense against potential threats in the application landscape.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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