Indian Government issues security warning for WhatsApp users: Check if you are affected

WhatsApp

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity security alert for WhatsApp Desktop users on Windows. The agency has warned that a vulnerability could let attackers execute arbitrary code or launch spoofing attacks, potentially compromising system security.

The vulnerability affects users running WhatsApp Desktop for Windows versions earlier than 2.2450.6. According to CERT-In, the issue arises from a misconfiguration between the MIME type and file extension, which causes improper handling of attachments. If a user opens a malicious file sent through WhatsApp, the flaw could allow attackers to run arbitrary code or spoof the system.

CERT-In has classified the issue as “high” in severity due to its potential to give attackers unauthorised access to data or full control of the affected machine. This flaw, listed as CVE-2025-30401, impacts desktop users who rely on WhatsApp for messaging, calls, and media sharing.

The advisory warns that the vulnerability could result in data theft, spoofing, or full system compromise. The government agency has said that attackers could exploit this flaw remotely by sending specially crafted attachments that, when opened manually within WhatsApp, trigger the vulnerability.

CERT-In’s alert highlights the broader risks of software misconfigurations and urges users to take the warning seriously, especially given the widespread usage of WhatsApp across personal and professional communication.

Users are advised to immediately check their WhatsApp Desktop version and update to the latest available build to patch the vulnerability. WhatsApp has issued a fix and published a security advisory on its official page at https://www.whatsapp.com/security/advisories/2025.

In addition to updating, users should avoid opening unsolicited attachments, even from known contacts, and regularly monitor for new software updates. Maintaining good cybersecurity hygiene can help reduce the risk of such exploits in the future.