CVE-2025-5180
📋 TL;DR
This is a critical uncontrolled search path vulnerability (DLL hijacking) in Wondershare Filmora's installer component. Attackers can exploit it by placing a malicious DLL in a location where the installer searches, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. Only local attackers can exploit this vulnerability, requiring physical or remote access to the target system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Wondershare Filmora
📦 What is this software?
Filmora by Wondershare
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing attackers to install malware, steal data, or create persistent backdoors.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution in the context of the user running the installer, enabling further system compromise.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls prevent unauthorized users from placing files in search paths or executing the vulnerable installer.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires local access and specific conditions to place malicious DLL in search path. Public exploit code is available but exploitation is described as difficult.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: None available - vendor did not respond to disclosure
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch available. Monitor Wondershare's official channels for security updates and patch announcements.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict installer execution
windowsLimit execution of NFWCHK.exe to trusted administrators only and prevent standard users from running the installer.
Use Windows Group Policy or application whitelisting to restrict execution of NFWCHK.exe
Secure DLL search paths
windowsConfigure Windows to use SafeDllSearchMode and set appropriate directory permissions to prevent DLL hijacking.
Set registry key: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SafeDllSearchMode = 1
Restrict write permissions to directories in the DLL search path
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or restrict access to NFWCHK.exe installer file from non-administrative users
- Implement application control policies to prevent execution of untrusted DLLs in the search path
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Wondershare Filmora version 14.5.16 is installed and if NFWCHK.exe exists in the installation directory. Verify if CRYPTBASE.dll can be loaded from uncontrolled paths.Check Version:
Check Filmora version in Help > About menu or examine installation directory propertiesVerify Fix Applied:
Check for updated version from Wondershare or verify that NFWCHK.exe no longer loads DLLs from uncontrolled search paths.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing DLL loading from unusual locations
- Process creation events for NFWCHK.exe followed by suspicious DLL loads
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Image contains 'NFWCHK.exe' AND DLL Loaded from path not in (expected installation directories)