CVE-2025-25004 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) found in Microsoft PowerShell on Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw allows an authorized attacker with limited privileges to elevate their privileges locally by exploiting improper access control mechanisms within PowerShell. Specifically, the vulnerability arises because PowerShell does not adequately enforce access restrictions on certain operations or resources, enabling privilege escalation. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.3, indicating high severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges at a limited level (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in October 2025, with no known exploits in the wild at the time of disclosure. No patches or mitigations are explicitly linked yet, suggesting organizations must rely on workarounds or upgrade paths. This vulnerability is significant because PowerShell is widely used for administrative tasks, and privilege escalation can lead to full system compromise or lateral movement within networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-25004 is substantial, particularly in sectors relying on legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and deployment of further malware or ransomware. This can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and data. Organizations in finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are especially at risk due to the sensitive nature of their operations and regulatory requirements for data protection. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or social engineering could facilitate attacks. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but delayed patching or continued use of unsupported OS versions increases exposure.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched Windows release to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. Until patches are available, restrict local access to systems running this OS version, especially limiting PowerShell usage to trusted administrators. Implement application control policies to restrict execution of unauthorized PowerShell scripts and modules. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Conduct user training to reduce the risk of social engineering that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. Regularly audit and harden local user privileges to minimize the number of accounts with elevated rights. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if an attacker gains local access. Finally, maintain up-to-date inventories of affected systems to ensure timely remediation.