CVE-2025-27482 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows Server 2019, specifically version 10.0.17763.0. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-591, which involves sensitive data storage in improperly locked memory. This flaw exists in the Remote Desktop Gateway Service, a critical component that facilitates secure remote connections to internal network resources. Improper locking of memory means that sensitive data, such as authentication tokens or cryptographic keys, may be stored in memory regions that are not adequately protected against unauthorized access. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant risk. The absence of published patches at the time of disclosure indicates that affected organizations must prioritize mitigation and monitoring until official fixes are available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk due to the widespread use of Windows Server 2019 in enterprise environments, especially in sectors relying on Remote Desktop Gateway for secure remote access, such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over affected servers, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt services, or move laterally within networks. This can result in data breaches, operational downtime, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage. Given the remote attack vector and no requirement for authentication, attackers could target exposed Remote Desktop Gateway endpoints directly from the internet, increasing the threat surface. The vulnerability's impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability simultaneously elevates the risk profile for European organizations that rely on these systems for critical business functions.

Organizations should immediately conduct an inventory to identify all Windows Server 2019 instances running version 10.0.17763.0 with Remote Desktop Gateway enabled. Until a patch is released, it is crucial to implement compensating controls: restrict network exposure of Remote Desktop Gateway servers by enforcing strict firewall rules and network segmentation; require VPN or other secure access methods before allowing Remote Desktop Gateway connections; enable multi-factor authentication to add an additional security layer; monitor logs and network traffic for unusual or unauthorized access attempts targeting Remote Desktop Gateway services; apply principle of least privilege to limit service account permissions; and consider temporarily disabling Remote Desktop Gateway if feasible. Additionally, organizations should subscribe to Microsoft security advisories to promptly apply patches once available. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts is also recommended.