CVE-2025-68623 Privilege escalation in n/a
A low-privilege user can replace a downloaded executable during DirectX installation to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges.
- 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-2025-68623?
CVE-2025-68623 is a high-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 11 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer 9.29.1974.0, a low-privilege user can replace an executable file during the installation process, which may result in unintended elevation of privileges. During installation, the installer runs with HIGH integrity and downloads executables and DLLs to the %TEMP% folder - writable by standard users. Subsequently, the installer executes the downloaded executable with HIGH integrity to complete the application installation. However, an attacker can replace the downloaded executable with a malicious, user-controlled executable. When the installer executes this replaced file, it runs the attacker's code with HIGH integrity. Since code running at HIGH integrity can escalate to SYSTEM level by registering and executing a service, this creates a complete privilege escalation chain from standard user to SYSTEM. NOTE: The Supplier disputes this record stating that they have determined this to be the behavior as designed.
Weakness: CWE-284
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-68623?
How do I fix CVE-2025-68623?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-68623 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2025-68623 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-68623 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-jp8v-rp55-736m.