CVE-2025-0131 GlobalProtect App: Incorrect Privilege Management Vulnerability in OPSWAT MetaDefender Endpoint Security SDK
A local non-admin user can escalate privileges to SYSTEM via a race condition in the GlobalProtect app's embedded SDK.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-0131?
CVE-2025-0131 is a high-severity vulnerability in OPSWAT MetaDefender Endpoint Security SDK, published on 14 May 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An incorrect privilege management vulnerability in the OPSWAT MetaDefender Endpoint Security SDK used by the Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect™ app on Windows devices allows a locally authenticated non-administrative Windows user to escalate their privileges to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. However, execution requires that the local user also successfully exploits a race condition, which makes this vulnerability difficult to exploit.
Weakness: CWE-266
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-0131?
How do I fix CVE-2025-0131?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-0131 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2025-0131 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-0131 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-78rr-5vrh-jhqh.