CVE-2025-33061 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified as an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) in the Windows Storage Management Provider component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability allows an authorized local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to read memory outside the intended bounds, potentially disclosing sensitive information. The flaw arises due to improper bounds checking within the storage management provider, which could lead to the disclosure of confidential data from memory. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have some level of access to the system but no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability but impacts confidentiality with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level. This vulnerability is significant because it could be leveraged by malicious insiders or malware that has gained limited access to the system to extract sensitive information, potentially aiding further attacks or data leakage. Since it affects Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release, systems still running this version are at risk if unpatched. The vulnerability’s scope is limited to local information disclosure without privilege escalation or remote exploitation capabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-33061 primarily concerns confidentiality breaches on systems running Windows 10 Version 1809. Many enterprises and public sector entities in Europe may still operate legacy systems due to compatibility or operational constraints, especially in industrial, healthcare, and government environments. An attacker with limited local access—such as a disgruntled employee, contractor, or malware that has bypassed initial defenses—could exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive information stored in memory, including credentials, cryptographic keys, or proprietary data. This could facilitate lateral movement, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration in subsequent attack stages. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed. Additionally, the lack of remote exploitability limits the threat to environments where attackers can gain local access, but insider threats and compromised endpoints remain a concern. Organizations relying on Windows 10 Version 1809 should consider this vulnerability a risk to internal data security and take appropriate measures to mitigate it.

To mitigate CVE-2025-33061 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Prioritize upgrading or patching all Windows 10 Version 1809 systems to the latest supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 versions, as Microsoft typically backports fixes to supported releases. Since no patch links are currently available, monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for updates. 2) Implement strict access controls and endpoint protection to limit local access to authorized personnel only, reducing the risk of exploitation by insiders or malware. 3) Employ application whitelisting and behavior monitoring to detect anomalous activities that could indicate attempts to exploit memory vulnerabilities. 4) Use memory protection technologies such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. 5) Conduct regular audits of legacy systems and plan for their replacement or upgrade to supported versions to minimize exposure to known vulnerabilities. 6) Educate staff on the risks of insider threats and enforce least privilege principles to limit the scope of potential attackers. 7) Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying suspicious local activities related to memory access or unauthorized data reads.