CVE-2025-14265 – This vulnerability allows authorized or adminis... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows authorized or administrative users to install and execute untrusted extensions on ScreenConnect servers, potentially leading to remote code execution or unauthorized access to configuration data. It affects ScreenConnect server components in versions prior to 25.8, while host and guest clients remain unaffected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

ScreenConnect Server

Versions: All versions prior to 25.8

Operating Systems: Windows, Linux

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects the server component; requires administrative or authorized user access

📦 What is this software?

Screenconnect by Connectwise

View all CVEs affecting Screenconnect →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full server compromise with administrative access, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation

🟠

Likely Case

Privileged user installs malicious extension leading to server compromise and lateral movement

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact due to strict access controls and monitoring of administrative actions

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Internet-facing servers are directly accessible to attackers who compromise admin credentials

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires internal admin account compromise but could lead to significant internal network impact

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW - Once admin credentials are obtained, exploitation is straightforward

Requires administrative or authorized user credentials to exploit

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 25.8

Vendor Advisory: https://www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/screenconnect-2025.8-security-patch

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download ScreenConnect 25.8 from ConnectWise portal
2. Backup current installation and configuration
3. Run installer with administrative privileges
4. Restart ScreenConnect services
5. Verify successful upgrade to version 25.8

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict Administrative Access

all

Limit administrative access to only essential personnel and implement multi-factor authentication

Monitor Extension Installation

all

Implement logging and alerting for any extension installation activities

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls and monitoring for administrative accounts
Isolate ScreenConnect servers from critical network segments and implement network segmentation

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check ScreenConnect server version in administration panel or via web interface

Check Version:

Check web interface at https://[server]/Admin/#/About or examine installation directory version files

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm version shows 25.8 or higher in administration panel

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected extension installation events
Administrative user activity outside normal patterns
Unusual process execution from ScreenConnect directories

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from ScreenConnect server
Suspicious file downloads to server

SIEM Query:

source="screenconnect" AND (event="extension_install" OR event="admin_login")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-14265

CVSS v3 Score: 9.1 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-494

EPSS Score: 0.05% exploit probability (16.2th percentile)

Published: December 11, 2025

Last Updated: January 16, 2026

🔗 References

https://www.connectwise.com/company/trust/security-bulletins/screenconnect-2025.8-security-patch Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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