CVE-2025-20298

Name: CVE-2025-20298
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2025-06-02T18:15:23.56+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8/10EPSS 0.24%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2025-20298 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8/10 on the CVSS scale. In Universal Forwarder for Windows versions below 9.4.2, 9.3.4, 9.2.6, and 9.1.9, a new installation of or an upgrade to an affected version can result in incorrect permissions assignment in the Universal Forwarder for Windows Installation directory (by default, C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder). This lets non-administrator users on the machine access the directory and all its contents.. EPSS estimates a 0.24% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Universal Forwarder for Windows versions below 9.4.2, 9.3.4, 9.2.6, and 9.1.9, a new installation of or an upgrade to an affected version can result in incorrect permissions assignment in the Universal Forwarder for Windows Installation directory (by default, C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder). This lets non-administrator users on the machine access the directory and all its contents.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.24%

14.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-732

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Splunk	Universal Forwarder	>= 9.1.0, < 9.1.9
Splunk	Universal Forwarder	>= 9.2.0, < 9.2.6
Splunk	Universal Forwarder	>= 9.3.0, < 9.3.4
Splunk	Universal Forwarder	>= 9.4.0, < 9.4.2

References

https://advisory.splunk.com/advisories/SVD-2025-0602Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 2, 2025
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-20298?

How severe is CVE-2025-20298?

CVE-2025-20298 has a CVSS score of 8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.24% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-20298?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2025-20298?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST