Rule Document 1:301139

Rule Category

OS-WINDOWS -- Snort has detected traffic targeting vulnerabilities in a Windows-based operating system. This does not include browser traffic or other software on the OS, but attacks against the OS itself. (such as?)

Alert Message

OS-WINDOWS Microsoft Windows DWM Core Library elevation of privilege attempt

Rule Explanation

This rule looks for bytes known to be specific to files that are intended to exploit an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows DWM Core Library.

What To Look For

This rule fires on attempts to exploit an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the DWM Core Library.

Known Usage

No public information

False Positives

No known false positives

Contributors

Cisco Talos Intelligence Group

Rule Groups

MITRE::ATT&CK Framework::Enterprise::Execution::User Execution::Malicious File

An adversary may rely upon a user opening a malicious file in order to gain execution. Users may be subjected to social engineering to get them to open a file that will lead to code execution. This user action will typically be observed as follow-on behavior from Spearphishing Attachment. Adversaries may use several types of files that require a user to execute them, including .doc, .pdf, .xls, .rtf, .scr, .exe, .lnk, .pif, and .cpl.

MITRE::ATT&CK Framework::Enterprise::Privilege Escalation::Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Privilege escalation includes techniques that allow an attacker to obtain a higher level of permissions on the mobile device. Attackers may enter the mobile device with very limited privileges and may be required to take advantage of a device weakness to obtain higher privileges necessary to successfully carry out their mission objectives.

Vulnerability::Severity::Critical

Vulnerability::Severity::High

Vulnerability::Severity::Medium

CVE

CVE-2025-21414

Additional Links

msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21414

Rule Vulnerability

Escalation of Privilege

An Escalation of Privilege (EOP) attack is any attack method that results in a user or application gaining permissions to access resources they normally would not have access to.

CVE Additional Information

This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

CVE-2025-21414

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