Privilege Escalation Unlocked: CVE-2025-53762 in Microsoft Purview (Permissive Input List Flaw)
When a single misconfigured input validation routine can grant attackers administrative power over your cloud data governance, the stakes are high. CVE-2025-53762, a privilege escalation flaw in Microsoft Purview, demonstrates how a subtle logic error can open the door to lateral movement and data compromise across enterprise networks. With a CVSS score of 8.7 and a direct impact on one of the most widely adopted data governance platforms, this vulnerability demands immediate attention from security teams.
Technical Information
Vulnerability Mechanism
CVE-2025-53762 is classified under CWE-183: Permissive List of Allowed Inputs (MITRE CWE-183). In Microsoft Purview, certain input validation mechanisms were implemented using an allow-list that was too broad. Instead of restricting inputs to a minimal, explicitly defined set, the system accepted a wide range of values—including those that could be weaponized by an attacker.
Exploitation Flow
- Initial Access: The attacker must possess valid credentials (either via phishing, credential stuffing, or insider threat).
- Payload Injection: Using the web interface or API, the attacker submits crafted input that mimics allowed patterns but contains embedded privilege escalation payloads.
- Privilege Escalation: The insufficiently restrictive allow-list fails to block the malicious input, which is then processed by Purview's privilege assignment logic. The attacker gains elevated permissions, potentially up to administrative access.
Attack Vectors
- Web Interface: Malicious input submitted through Purview's GUI forms.
- API Endpoints: Crafted requests sent to RESTful APIs used for metadata ingestion, policy configuration, or role management.
Root Cause
The core issue is a logical flaw in input validation:
# Pseudocode illustration of the flawed logic allowed_inputs = ["user", "admin", "data_reader", "*"] # '*' is too permissive if user_input in allowed_inputs: grant_privilege(user_input)
A more secure approach would strictly enumerate allowed roles and reject any input not on the list:
# Secure input validation strict_allowed_inputs = ["user", "data_reader"] if user_input in strict_allowed_inputs: grant_privilege(user_input) else: reject_input()
In the vulnerable versions, the allow-list either included wildcards or failed to sanitize input for embedded privilege escalation payloads, enabling attackers to bypass intended access controls.
Affected Components
- Metadata Ingestion Pipelines
- Access Policy Managers
- Integration Endpoints (e.g., Azure Synapse Analytics connectors)
Patch Information
Microsoft has released a security update to address this vulnerability. The patch enforces stricter input validation, eliminating the overly permissive allow-list and ensuring that only explicitly authorized inputs are accepted. To apply the fix:
- Access the Microsoft Security Update Guide: MSRC CVE-2025-53762
- Review the Update Details: Check affected systems and prerequisites.
- Download the Update Package: Select and download the appropriate package.
- Install the Update: Follow the installation instructions.
- Verify Installation: Confirm the update is applied via system update history or verification tools.
Applying this update is critical to prevent privilege escalation attacks in Microsoft Purview environments.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Microsoft Purview
- Affected versions: Specific version numbers have not been disclosed in public advisories as of July 18, 2025. All currently supported Microsoft Purview deployments should be considered potentially vulnerable until patched.
- Vulnerable configurations: Any configuration where user-supplied input is accepted for role assignment, metadata ingestion, or policy management.
Vendor Security History
Microsoft has a long-standing reputation for rapid vulnerability response, especially for cloud and enterprise products. Recent Patch Tuesday cycles (May and June 2025) addressed dozens of vulnerabilities, including privilege escalation and input validation issues in other Azure services. While Microsoft Purview is a relatively new addition to the Azure ecosystem, its integration with critical data and compliance workflows makes any privilege escalation flaw particularly impactful. Historically, Microsoft has released patches for critical vulnerabilities within days of public disclosure, reflecting a mature security process.
References
- NVD Entry for CVE-2025-53762
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2025-53762
- Official CVE Record
- Red Hot Cyber CVE Coverage
- MITRE CWE-183: Permissive List of Allowed Inputs
Source: This report was created using AI
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