CVE-2025-33053: Microsoft Windows remote code execution in Internet Shortcut files

CVE-2025-33053 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-06-10

A critical vulnerability in Microsoft Windows allows attackers to remotely execute malicious code on a victim's computer. This occurs when a user opens a specially crafted Internet Shortcut file that points to a malicious remote server. This flaw has been actively exploited in the wild by sophisticated threat actors to compromise systems and deploy malware.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2025-33053 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2025-33053 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 10 June 2025. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2025-33053?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 10 June 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022.
Is there a fix for CVE-2025-33053?
A patch was published on 2025-06-10. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2025-33053 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-33053?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

This vulnerability (CWE-73) exists in how Microsoft Windows handles Internet Shortcut (.url) files. An attacker can craft a shortcut file where the 'WorkingDirectory' attribute points to a remote WebDAV location. When a user interacts with the file, Windows attempts to access the remote path, which can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. The attack requires minimal user interaction (opening the file) and can be delivered via email or web downloads. Microsoft released patches for this zero-day vulnerability in June 2025 following reports of active exploitation by the 'Stealth Falcon' threat group.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022

Timeline

  • 2025-06-10: disclosed
  • 2025-06-10: patched
  • 2025-06-10: kev added: Added to CISA KEV catalog due to active exploitation.

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