CVE-2025-27747 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) affecting Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, specifically version 16.0.0. The vulnerability arises from a use-after-free condition in Microsoft Office Word components integrated or utilized within SharePoint environments. This flaw allows an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code locally on the affected system. The attack vector requires local access (AV:L), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as opening a malicious document. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity level. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and patched versions are not yet linked, emphasizing the need for immediate attention. The root cause is an untrusted pointer dereference due to improper memory management, leading to use-after-free conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability is particularly critical in environments where SharePoint is used to manage and share documents, as maliciously crafted Word documents could be used as an attack vector. Given that SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 is widely deployed in enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27747 can be substantial. SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 is commonly used in large enterprises and government agencies for document management and collaboration. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution on servers or client machines, potentially resulting in data breaches, disruption of business processes, and lateral movement within networks. Confidential corporate data and sensitive information could be exposed or altered, undermining data integrity and availability. The requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to trick users into opening malicious documents, increasing the risk of targeted attacks. Given the high integration of SharePoint in critical workflows, exploitation could disrupt operations and damage organizational reputation. Furthermore, the vulnerability's local attack vector implies that attackers with limited access could escalate privileges or establish persistence, complicating incident response and recovery efforts.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately apply any available security updates or patches from Microsoft for SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 and related Office components once released. 2) Implement strict document handling policies, including disabling or restricting macros and active content in Word documents accessed via SharePoint. 3) Employ advanced email filtering and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block malicious documents and phishing attempts. 4) Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected Word documents, emphasizing cautious behavior to reduce the likelihood of user interaction exploitation. 5) Utilize application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the execution of unauthorized code. 6) Monitor SharePoint and endpoint logs for unusual activities indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process launches or memory corruption indicators. 7) Consider network segmentation to isolate SharePoint servers and limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 8) Regularly back up critical data and verify recovery procedures to minimize impact from potential attacks.