CVE-2025-24997 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference) found in Microsoft Windows Server 2022, specifically version 10.0.20348.0. The issue arises from the Windows Kernel's improper handling of null pointers in memory management routines, which can be triggered by an authorized attacker with high privileges on the local system. When exploited, this vulnerability causes the kernel to dereference a null pointer, leading to a system crash or blue screen of death (BSOD), effectively resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The attack vector requires local access and elevated privileges, meaning the attacker must already have significant control over the system or be able to execute code with administrative rights. There is no requirement for user interaction, and the scope of impact is limited to availability, with no direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.4, reflecting a medium severity level due to the combination of local attack vector, required privileges, and impact limited to availability. As of the publication date, no patches or known exploits have been reported, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and tracked by CISA. This vulnerability is significant for environments relying on Windows Server 2022 for critical services, as it can disrupt operations by causing unexpected system crashes.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24997 is the potential disruption of critical services hosted on Windows Server 2022 systems. Since the vulnerability leads to denial of service through kernel crashes, it can cause downtime, loss of productivity, and potential cascading effects on dependent applications and services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications, which often rely on Windows Server infrastructure, may experience operational interruptions. The requirement for local high-privilege access limits the risk of remote exploitation but raises concerns about insider threats or attackers who have already compromised internal systems. Availability degradation can affect service level agreements (SLAs) and damage organizational reputation. Given the lack of known exploits, the immediate threat is moderate, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation as attackers develop techniques to leverage this flaw.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24997, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict and monitor administrative access to Windows Server 2022 systems to minimize the risk of privilege misuse or escalation. 2) Employ strict access controls and network segmentation to limit local access to critical servers. 3) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege abuse or attempts to trigger kernel faults. 4) Maintain up-to-date backups and disaster recovery plans to quickly restore services in case of denial of service incidents. 5) Monitor official Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches immediately once available. 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on privilege escalation and local attack vectors. 7) Educate system administrators about the risks of local privilege misuse and the importance of applying security best practices. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local privileged access and preparing for availability disruptions.