CVE-2025-24076 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) affecting the Windows Cross Device Service component in Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2 (build 10.0.22621.0). This flaw allows an attacker who already has authorized local access to the system to escalate their privileges beyond their current level. The vulnerability arises from improper enforcement of access control policies within the Cross Device Service, which is responsible for enabling communication and data sharing across multiple devices linked to the same user account. By exploiting this weakness, an attacker can bypass restrictions and gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, indicating high severity, with attack vector being local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a significant risk. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in March 2025, with no patches currently linked but expected from Microsoft. The flaw is particularly concerning because it enables privilege escalation, a critical step in many attack chains, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights, install persistent malware, or exfiltrate sensitive data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24076 can be substantial. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities enable attackers to gain administrative control over affected systems, which can lead to widespread compromise of enterprise networks. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and the deployment of ransomware or other malicious payloads. Organizations in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to the potential exposure of confidential information and compliance violations. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where insider threats or compromised user accounts exist. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the scope of attacks. Given the widespread deployment of Windows 11 22H2 in European enterprises and public sector organizations, the threat posed by this vulnerability is significant and warrants immediate attention.

1. Apply official Microsoft patches immediately once they are released for Windows 11 version 22H2 to address this vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, especially limiting administrative privileges and access to the Cross Device Service. 3. Implement strict endpoint security controls to monitor and alert on unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious activity related to the Cross Device Service. 4. Employ application whitelisting and behavior-based detection to prevent unauthorized code execution resulting from privilege escalation. 5. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions to identify and remediate excessive privileges. 6. Educate users about the risks of social engineering and the need to avoid executing untrusted code or clicking on suspicious prompts that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. 7. Use network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised endpoints and prevent lateral movement. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.