CVE-2025-21204

Published Apr 8, 2025

Last updated 8 days ago

CVSS high 7.8
Windows Update Stack

Overview

AI description

Generated using AI and has not been reviewed by Intruder. May contain errors.

CVE-2025-21204 is a vulnerability in the Windows Update Stack. It stems from improper link resolution before file access, specifically a flaw known as "link following." This vulnerability allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally on a system.

Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Source
secure@microsoft.com
NVD status
Awaiting Analysis

Risk scores

CVSS 3.1

Type
Primary
Base score
7.8
Impact score
5.9
Exploitability score
1.8
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity
HIGH

Weaknesses

secure@microsoft.com
CWE-59

Social media

Hype score is a measure of social media activity compared against trending CVEs from the past 12 months. Max score 100.

Hype score

5

  1. [1day1line] CVE-2025-21204: Privilege Escalation via Improper Link Following in the Windows Update Stack https://t.co/DHJN12WrCj Today’s 1day1line covers a privilege escalation vulnerability found in the Windows Update Stack. Without any memory corruption, the escalation was

    @hackyboiz

    17 Apr 2025

    1437 Impressions

    12 Retweets

    48 Likes

    13 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  2. Noticed a strange “C:\inetpub” folder after the April 2025 Windows (Patch Tuesday) updates? Don’t panic—it’s not a virus. It’s part of a critical security fix (CVE-2025-21204) that protects your system. Microsoft says to leave it, even if you don’t use IIS. #Security #CVE2025

    @SentrixShield

    16 Apr 2025

    23 Impressions

    2 Retweets

    4 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  3. No no no it's not some "bug" guys, It's how Microsoft patched CVE-2025-21204. lmaooo https://t.co/4oeMc85kNy

    @RealBigManBonk

    16 Apr 2025

    0 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  4. 直近のWindowsの定例更新でCドライブ配下に作成された、空のinetpubフォルダについて。Windows Process Activationの権限昇格脆弱性CVE-2025-21204に対する緩和策なので、IISを使用していなくても削除しないように。 https://t.co/JaCFKHaJI9 消してしまった場合、プログラムと機能からIISを有効化

    @__kokumoto

    15 Apr 2025

    3721 Impressions

    24 Retweets

    50 Likes

    15 Bookmarks

    1 Reply

    1 Quote

  5. Wondering why a new 'inetpub' folder appeared after the latest Windows update? 🧐 It’s not just for IIS. Microsoft added it as a security measure against CVE-2025-21204. Don’t delete it. Here's why: https://t.co/xoBvTHF0Bu #WindowsUpdate #InfoSec #CyberSecurity

    @threatsbank

    15 Apr 2025

    48 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  6. Nach dem neuesten #Windows Update im April taucht ein mysteriöser "inetpub"-Ordner auf. #Microsoft warnt: Nicht löschen! Er schützt vor einer kritischen Sicherheitslücke (CVE-2025-21204). Erfahre mehr und was zu tun ist, falls er weg ist: https://t.co/bAn5ziq9n7 https://t.co/qlay

    @JanSiefken

    15 Apr 2025

    6 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    2 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  7. This CVE-2025-21204 is interesting, first is what would happen if a privileged user creates an "inetpub" and here is Microsoft's new ACL's. They are preventing people writing and deleting files from the Inetpub folder which are being used for SYSTEM / NETWORK SERVICE accounts. ht

    @hackerfantastic

    14 Apr 2025

    3566 Impressions

    16 Retweets

    41 Likes

    15 Bookmarks

    1 Reply

    0 Quotes

  8. No, don’t delete that new inetpub folder. It’s part of Microsoft’s fix for CVE-2025-21204, a local privilege escalation flaw. ✅ It’s harmless ✅ It’s for protection ❌ It’s not just for IIS Leave it. It’s watching your back. 🔒 https://t.co/SjS8oHRHlk

    @CareWeDoNot

    14 Apr 2025

    42 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    1 Like

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  9. Microsoft put C:\inetpub junk there for a reason 🫠 CVE-2025-21204 #greatfix https://t.co/VlVgTdS9mD

    @sixtyvividtails

    14 Apr 2025

    16441 Impressions

    26 Retweets

    298 Likes

    76 Bookmarks

    3 Replies

    0 Quotes

  10. Microsoft confirms the unexpected “inetpub” folder created after the April 2025 update is not a bug. It’s tied to a security patch (CVE-2025-21204) meant to protect system files from malicious attacks. #Windows11 #Microsoft #CyberSecurity #WindowsUpdate #CVE2025 #SystemSecurity h

    @geniuspulse360

    13 Apr 2025

    26 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  11. 🚨 Windows users — don’t delete the C:\inetpub folder! After the April 2025 patch, Microsoft confirmed it's created even without IIS installed. ✅ It’s part of a security fix for CVE-2025-21204 🛑 Deleting it may interfere with system protection 🔗 https://t.co/ZYCx4HtprM http

    @nizarhammadi81

    12 Apr 2025

    221 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    1 Quote

  12. If you see a new `inetpub` folder on your Windows 11 after the April 2025 update, don't worry It's part of a security patch for CVE-2025-21204 and should not be deleted. #Windows11 #Microsoft #SecurityUpdate https://t.co/XYkCu5vELR

    @ApkZillaDaily

    11 Apr 2025

    2 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  13. April 2025 Windows update creates an empty "inetpub" folder (even without IIS). Microsoft warns: do not delete it. It increases protection related to CVE-2025-21204. https://t.co/FrMpnhw4Gp

    @Jfreeg_

    11 Apr 2025

    55 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  14. New Windows update creates an empty "inetpub" folder? 📁 Microsoft warns: DO NOT DELETE! It's part of a security update (CVE-2025-21204) to prevent privilege escalation. 🤔 Learn more to stay secure! #WindowsUpdate #Cybersecurity #InfoSec https://t.co/DzSo1YXUku

    @fernandokarl

    11 Apr 2025

    10 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  15. あ、パッチ適用で作成されたinetpubフォルダ消しちゃダメなのか / CVE-2025-21204 - セキュリティ更新プログラム ガイド - Microsoft - Windows プロセス アクティブ化の特権昇格の脆弱性 https://t.co/kPUU09EZFb

    @_jackson

    11 Apr 2025

    3 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  16. 🚨 CVE-2025-21204 🔴 HIGH (7.8) 🏢 Microsoft - Windows Server 2025 🏗️ 10.0.26100.0 🔗 https://t.co/rfILlo6ofV #CyberCron #VulnAlert #InfoSec https://t.co/bI5e0B4WxA

    @cybercronai

    9 Apr 2025

    27 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes

  17. CVE-2025-21204 Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. https://t.co/bHL4lAPB6o

    @CVEnew

    9 Apr 2025

    104 Impressions

    0 Retweets

    0 Likes

    0 Bookmarks

    0 Replies

    0 Quotes