CVE-2025-20065 is a vulnerability identified in Display Virtualization for Windows OS software versions prior to 1797. The root cause is an uncontrolled search path within device drivers operating at Ring 2 privilege level, which is a core kernel mode level in Windows. This flaw allows an unprivileged, authenticated user with local access to escalate their privileges to higher levels, potentially gaining administrative control. The attack requires high complexity and active user interaction, such as executing a crafted application or script that exploits the search path issue to load malicious code or drivers. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as an attacker could manipulate system processes or data, disrupt services, or exfiltrate sensitive information. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates local attack vector (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), privileges required are low (PR:L), user interaction is required (UI:A), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high (C:H, I:H, A:H). No special internal knowledge is needed, but the attack is constrained by the need for local access and user interaction. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The lack of patch links suggests that remediation may be pending or that users should upgrade to version 1797 or later to mitigate the issue.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where Display Virtualization for Windows OS software is deployed, such as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), remote workstations, or graphical computing environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to elevate privileges from a low-privileged user to administrative levels, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system configurations, or disruption of critical services. This could lead to data breaches, operational downtime, and compromise of confidential information. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in scenarios where insider threats or compromised user accounts exist. Industries with high reliance on Windows-based virtualization, such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors in Europe, could face increased exposure. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable, the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is substantial if exploited.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading Display Virtualization for Windows OS software to version 1797 or later where this vulnerability is addressed. In the absence of an immediate patch, organizations should enforce strict local access controls to prevent unauthorized users from executing code on vulnerable systems. Implement application whitelisting to restrict execution of untrusted software and monitor for unusual user activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block suspicious behaviors related to driver loading or search path manipulation. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted applications or files that could trigger the vulnerability. Regularly audit and limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation can also help contain potential breaches originating from compromised local accounts. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any exploitation.