CVE-2025-33053
Microsoft Windows External Control of File Name or Path Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows
External control of file name or path in Internet Shortcut Files allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 10 June 2025. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 1 July 2025.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 87.1%, which is higher than 99.8% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2025-33053 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2025-33053.
What does CVE-2025-33053 affect?
CVE-2025-33053 affects Microsoft Windows. External control of file name or path in Internet Shortcut Files allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
How severe is CVE-2025-33053?
CVE-2025-33053 is rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 8.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 87.1%, higher than 99.8% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 1 July 2025.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2025-33053?
Apply the vendor patch for Microsoft Windows as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.