CVE-2025-12838

SYSTEM code execution via restore junction

Published Dec 23, 2025 · Updated Dec 23, 2025

Link-following in MSP360 Backup Free 8.1.0.620 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM through a crafted restore. The restore service follows an attacker-created Windows directory junction and writes restored content to its target without validating the resolved path. Low-privileged code execution and administrator interaction are required, after which arbitrary files can be created with service privileges.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Link-following in MSP360 Backup Free 8.1.0.620 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM through a crafted restore. The restore service follows an attacker-created Windows directory junction and writes restored content to its target without validating the resolved path. Low-privileged code execution and administrator interaction are required, after which arbitrary files can be created with service privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-12838
Published
Dec 23, 2025
Updated
Dec 23, 2025
Vendor
MSP360
Product
MSP360 Backup Free
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 23, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 23, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=8.1.0.620

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

MSP360 · MSP360 Backup Freeversion=8.1.0.620

Published CVSS scores

7.3Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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