CVE-2025-65118

OS System escalation via DLL search-order hijacking

Published Jan 16, 2026 · Updated Jan 16, 2026

DLL search-order hijacking in AVEVA Process Optimization 2024.1 and earlier allows local users to execute code as OS System. Process Optimization services search for and load a DLL from an uncontrolled path, enabling attacker-supplied code; AVEVA does not identify the service, library, or path. An OS Standard User with write access to the relevant search-path location can elevate to OS System and completely compromise the Model Application Server.

CVSS severity9.3
Critical
EPSS probability0.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

DLL search-order hijacking in AVEVA Process Optimization 2024.1 and earlier allows local users to execute code as OS System. Process Optimization services search for and load a DLL from an uncontrolled path, enabling attacker-supplied code; AVEVA does not identify the service, library, or path. An OS Standard User with write access to the relevant search-path location can elevate to OS System and completely compromise the Model Application Server.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-65118
Published
Jan 16, 2026
Updated
Jan 16, 2026
Vendor
AVEVA
Product
AVEVA Process Optimization
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 16, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 16, 2026Record 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=0 <=2024.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

AVEVA · AVEVA Process Optimizationversion=0 <=2024.1

Published CVSS scores

9.3ICS-CERTCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
8.8ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/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-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.001DLL Search Order Hijacking

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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