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Microsoft Windows Cloud Minifilter Flaw Enables Privilege Escalation

A critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-55680 in the Microsoft Windows Cloud Minifilter has been addressed. This vulnerability, caused by a race condition, allowed attackers to escalate privileges and create files anywhere on the system.…

GBy Grace BennettOct 21, 20252 min read

A critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-55680 in the Microsoft Windows Cloud Minifilter has been addressed. This vulnerability, caused by a race condition, allowed attackers to escalate privileges and create files anywhere on the system. It was discovered by Exodus Intelligence in March 2024 and patched by Microsoft in October 2025.

Race Condition Allows System-Wide File Creation

The vulnerability resides in the Windows Cloud Minifilter driver (cldflt.sys), which facilitates file system functionality for cloud applications such as OneDrive. The flaw occurs in the HsmpOpCreatePlaceholders() function when processing requests to create placeholder files in synchronized directories.

CVE ID Vulnerability Type Affected Component CVSS 3.1 Score Impact

CVE-2025-55680 Race Condition / Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Microsoft Windows Cloud Minifilter (cldflt.sys) 7.8 (High) Privilege Escalation – Arbitrary file creation leading to SYSTEM privileges

A critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-55680 in the Microsoft Windows Cloud Minifilter has been addressed.
Grace Bennett · Thehackingpost

The security issue arises from improper validation of filenames during placeholder creation. When a request is made to create a placeholder file, the system checks for forbidden characters in the filename. However, a time window exists between this validation and the actual creation of the file, allowing attackers to modify the filename in memory and bypass security checks.

Exploiting the Time-of-Check Time-of-Use Weakness

Attackers can exploit this weakness by running multiple threads simultaneously. Some threads request placeholder creation, while others alter characters in the filename buffer. If timed accurately, the malicious filename alteration occurs after validation but before file creation, enabling attackers to create files in protected system directories such as C:\Windows\System32. This allows the execution of code with elevated SYSTEM privileges through DLL side-loading techniques.

The vulnerability affects the Cloud Files Minifilter driver's handling of the CfCreatePlaceholders() API function. This function is used by cloud sync providers to create placeholder files representing cloud-stored content. The driver processes these requests with I/O control code 0x903BC, indicating placeholder creation operations.

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System administrators are advised to ensure that Windows systems receive the October 2025 security updates to protect against this exploitation. Organizations utilizing cloud synchronization services should prioritize patching systems with sync root directories configured, which are necessary preconditions for successful exploitation.

Based on reporting by GBHackers.

AI transparency. This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published under human editorial oversight. AI systems can make mistakes. Read how we use AI (EU AI Act, Art. 50).
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