CVE-2025-24062 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Microsoft Windows Server 2022 operating system, specifically affecting version 10.0.20348.0. The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation within the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library. This flaw allows an authorized attacker—meaning one with some level of local access—to perform a local privilege escalation (LPE) attack. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker with limited privileges can elevate their permissions to a higher level, potentially gaining administrative rights on the affected system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, which relates to improper input validation, indicating that the DWM Core Library does not correctly verify or sanitize input data, leading to unexpected behavior exploitable by attackers. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links are provided at this time. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in April 2025. Given the nature of the flaw in a core system library responsible for graphical window management, exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, severely compromising system security and stability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24062 could be significant, especially for enterprises and service providers relying on Windows Server 2022 for critical infrastructure, data centers, and cloud services. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized administrative access, enabling attackers to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt services, or pivot laterally within networks. This is particularly concerning for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions across Europe. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that data breaches, service outages, and compliance violations (e.g., GDPR) are plausible consequences. Since the vulnerability requires local access but no user interaction, insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds through other means could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges rapidly. This could undermine trust in IT infrastructure and lead to costly incident response and remediation efforts. Additionally, given the widespread use of Windows Server 2022 in European enterprises, the vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks or automated campaigns once exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-24062, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Prioritize patch management by monitoring Microsoft security advisories closely and applying official patches immediately upon release, as no patches are currently available. 2) Restrict local access to Windows Server 2022 systems by enforcing strict access controls, limiting administrative privileges, and using Just-In-Time (JIT) access models to reduce the attack surface. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4) Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions to identify and remove unnecessary privileges that could be exploited. 5) Harden server configurations by disabling unnecessary services and features, including those related to the DWM if feasible in server environments. 6) Use network segmentation to isolate critical servers and limit lateral movement opportunities. 7) Implement comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect anomalous behavior early, enabling rapid incident response. 8) Educate IT staff about the vulnerability and the importance of minimizing local access and promptly responding to alerts related to privilege escalation. These steps, combined with a robust security posture, will reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation.