CVE-2026-32225

FAQ

What kind of security feature could be bypassed by successfully exploiting this vulnerability?

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to bypass SmartScreen protections that rely on the Mark of the Web (MotW) to identify files originating from the internet.

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability?

An attacker could exploit this issue by convincing a user to open a specially crafted .lnk file delivered through email, a website download, or removable media. When opened, the shortcut causes Windows to launch commands or Control Panel applets without proper MotW handling, potentially allowing arbitrary command execution or loading attacker‑controlled DLLs.

According to the CVSS metric, user interaction is required (UI:R). What interaction would the user have to do?

To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must convince a user to open a malicious link or shortcut file.