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WhatsApp Patches Critical Spoofing Vulnerability Enabling Remote Code Execution

WhatsApp recently addressed a critical spoofing flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-30401, which could allow attackers to execute remote code on affected devices. Learn more about the vulnerability and its implications for user security.

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By Vitus White
3 min read
WhatsApp Patches Critical Spoofing Vulnerability Enabling Remote Code Execution

TL;DR

WhatsApp has released a security update to fix a spoofing vulnerability (CVE-2025-30401) that could enable attackers to execute remote code. This flaw affected WhatsApp for Windows before version 2.2450.6 and allowed attackers to send malicious files disguised as safe attachments.

WhatsApp Addresses Critical Spoofing Flaw

WhatsApp has released a crucial security update to address a vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-30401. This flaw allows attackers to trick users into executing remote code by sending files with fake MIME types, making them appear as harmless attachments 1.

Vulnerability Overview

The spoofing flaw impacts WhatsApp for Windows before version 2.2450.6. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending files with fake MIME types, tricking users into believing they are safe (e.g., images) while executing malicious code 2.

“A spoofing issue in WhatsApp for Windows prior to version 2.2450.6 displayed attachments according to their MIME type but selected the file opening handler based on the attachment’s filename extension. A maliciously crafted mismatch could have caused the recipient to inadvertently execute arbitrary code rather than view the attachment when manually opening the attachment inside WhatsApp.” 3

Potential Exploits and Real-World Implications

Due to its widespread popularity, WhatsApp is a prime target for threat actors motivated by financial or political gain. Previous security flaws have been exploited in real-world incidents, allowing attackers to infiltrate systems, harvest confidential data, or deploy harmful software 4.

A zero-day vulnerability in WhatsApp can fetch millions of dollars on underground markets due to its massive user base and potential for covert access to private chats, media, and device-level control 5.

Recent Security Incidents

  • March 2025: WhatsApp addressed a zero-click, zero-day vulnerability exploited to install Paragon’s Graphite spyware on targeted individuals’ devices 6.
  • December 2024: WhatsApp blocked a spyware campaign by Paragon targeting journalists and civil society members, confirming the issue was fixed without a client-side update 7.
  • February 2025: Meta dismantled a malware campaign via WhatsApp that targeted journalists and civil society members with Paragon spyware 8.

Technical Details and Mitigation

The hacking campaign, linked to Paragon, an Israeli commercial surveillance vendor acquired by AE Industrial Partners, targeted 90 users. WhatsApp sent a “cease and desist” letter to Paragon and is exploring legal action 9.

Meta experts noted that threat actors used a “zero-click” exploit to compromise target devices without user interaction. WhatsApp did not disclose the locations of the targeted individuals 10.

Research and Analysis

Citizen Lab mapped Paragon Solutions’ spyware infrastructure, identifying its tool “Graphite” through digital fingerprints and certificates. Researchers linked Paragon to several IP addresses hosted at local telecoms, suggesting government customers. A misconfigured digital certificate further confirmed the connection, strengthening the evidence of Paragon’s global spyware operations 11.

Conclusion

The recent patch by WhatsApp to address the critical spoofing vulnerability highlights the ongoing battle against cyber threats. Users are advised to keep their applications updated to protect against such exploits. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive security measures in safeguarding digital communications.

Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

References

  1. Meta (2025). “WhatsApp Security Advisory”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  2. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Fixed Zero-Day Flaw Used to Deploy Paragon Graphite Spyware”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  3. Meta (2025). “WhatsApp Security Advisory”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  4. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Disrupted Paragon Spyware Campaign”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  5. TechCrunch (2024). “Israeli Spyware Maker Paragon Bought by U.S. Private Equity Giant”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  6. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Fixed Zero-Day Flaw Used to Deploy Paragon Graphite Spyware”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  7. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Disrupted Paragon Spyware Campaign”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  8. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Fixed Zero-Day Flaw Used to Deploy Paragon Graphite Spyware”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  9. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Disrupted Paragon Spyware Campaign”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  10. Security Affairs (2025). “WhatsApp Fixed Zero-Day Flaw Used to Deploy Paragon Graphite Spyware”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

  11. Citizen Lab (2025). “Analysis of Paragon Spyware Campaign”. Retrieved 2025-04-08. ↩︎

Cybersecurity & Data Protection, Vulnerabilities
cybersecurity threat-intelligence spoofing
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