Critical Zoom Windows Vulnerability (CVE-2025-49457): Privilege Escalation Risk Patched

TL;DR

Zoom has patched a critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-49457) in its Windows client, which could allow unauthenticated attackers to escalate privileges via an untrusted search path. The flaw, rated 9.6 on the CVSS scale, affects multiple Zoom products, including Workplace, Rooms, and Meeting SDK for Windows. Users are urged to update to version 6.3.10 or later to mitigate risks.

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Critical Zoom Windows Vulnerability Patched: What You Need to Know

Overview of the Vulnerability

Zoom, a leading cloud-based video conferencing and collaboration platform, has addressed a critical security flaw in its Windows client. Tracked as CVE-2025-49457, this vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 9.6, indicating its high severity. The flaw stems from an untrusted search path, which could enable an unauthenticated attacker to escalate privileges via network access ¹.

According to Zoom’s security advisory, the vulnerability poses a significant risk, as it allows attackers to gain elevated system privileges without prior authentication. This could lead to malware installation, data theft, or complete system takeover.

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Impacted Zoom Products

The vulnerability affects the following Zoom products for Windows:

• Workplace for Windows (versions before 6.3.10)
• Workplace VDI for Windows (versions before 6.3.10, excluding 6.1.16 and 6.2.12)
• Rooms for Windows (versions before 6.3.10)
• Rooms Controller for Windows (versions before 6.3.10)
• Meeting SDK for Windows (versions before 6.3.10)

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Why This Vulnerability Is Dangerous

Vulnerabilities in widely used software like Zoom are particularly concerning due to the platform’s global reach and its role in hosting sensitive corporate and personal communications. If exploited, CVE-2025-49457 could allow attackers to:

• Gain higher system privileges: Attackers could install malware, steal files, or take full control of the affected device.
• Bypass security controls: The flaw could enable attackers to circumvent restrictions that limit software capabilities.
• Infiltrate corporate networks: Since Zoom is often used on work devices connected to sensitive resources, this vulnerability could serve as a gateway for deeper network penetration.

Zoom’s status as trusted software makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals, as malicious activities conducted through it are less likely to raise suspicion.

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Zoom’s History of Security Vulnerabilities

This is not the first time Zoom has faced critical security issues. In November 2024, the company patched six vulnerabilities, two of which (CVE-2024-45421 and CVE-2024-45419) were high-severity flaws that could be exploited to escalate privileges or leak sensitive information ².

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Mitigation Steps for Users

To protect against this vulnerability, Zoom users should:

1. Update immediately: Ensure all Zoom products are updated to version 6.3.10 or later.
2. Verify updates: Check for updates via the Zoom client or download the latest version from the official Zoom website.
3. Monitor for suspicious activity: Keep an eye on unusual system behavior, such as unexpected privilege changes or unauthorized access attempts.

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Why This Matters for Organizations

For businesses, the stakes are even higher. A successful exploit could lead to:

• Data breaches: Exposure of confidential meeting recordings or corporate data.
• Compliance violations: Failure to protect sensitive information could result in legal repercussions.
• Reputation damage: A security incident involving Zoom could erode customer and stakeholder trust.

Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability and enforce strict update policies to mitigate risks.

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Conclusion

The discovery and patching of CVE-2025-49457 highlight the ongoing challenges in securing widely used software like Zoom. While the company has acted swiftly to address the issue, users and organizations must remain vigilant. Regular updates, proactive monitoring, and adherence to security best practices are essential to safeguarding against evolving cyber threats.

For further updates, follow Zoom’s security bulletins and ensure your systems are always running the latest software versions.

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Additional Resources

For more insights on cybersecurity and vulnerability management, explore:

• Zoom Security Bulletins
• CVE Details for CVE-2025-49457
• NIST National Vulnerability Database

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References

1. Zoom (2025). “Zoom Security Bulletin ZSB-25030”. Zoom Trust Center. Retrieved 2025-08-14. ↩︎

2. Zoom (2024). “Zoom Security Bulletins”. Zoom Trust Center. Retrieved 2025-08-14. ↩︎