CVE-2025-33062 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw exists within the Windows Storage Management Provider component, which is responsible for managing storage-related operations on the system. An out-of-bounds read occurs when a program reads data outside the bounds of allocated memory, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive information. In this case, an authorized attacker with local privileges (low-level privileges) can exploit this vulnerability to read memory contents beyond intended boundaries, thereby disclosing confidential information stored in memory. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require the attacker to have some level of authorization on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level primarily due to the confidentiality impact (high), with no impact on integrity or availability. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in June 2025, indicating it is a recent discovery. Since the affected product is Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release, many organizations may have already migrated to newer versions, but legacy systems could still be vulnerable. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted local attacks to extract sensitive information from memory, which might include credentials, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data, potentially facilitating further attacks or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-33062 depends largely on the prevalence of Windows 10 Version 1809 in their IT environments. Organizations still running this version, especially in critical infrastructure, government, or enterprise environments, could face confidentiality breaches if attackers gain authorized local access. The disclosed information could be leveraged to compromise user accounts, escalate privileges, or move laterally within networks. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could lead to significant operational and reputational damage, especially in sectors handling sensitive personal data (e.g., finance, healthcare, public administration) subject to strict GDPR regulations. The requirement for local authorization limits remote exploitation, reducing the risk of widespread automated attacks, but insider threats or attackers who have already gained footholds could exploit this vulnerability to deepen their access. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate risk, but organizations should not be complacent given the potential for information disclosure and the possibility of future exploit development.

To mitigate CVE-2025-33062 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, prioritizing those in sensitive or critical roles. 2) Plan and execute upgrades to supported, more recent Windows 10 or Windows 11 versions, as older versions like 1809 have reduced security support and are more vulnerable. 3) Until upgrades are complete, implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and restrict access to systems vulnerable to this flaw. 4) Monitor local user activities and audit logs for unusual access patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit local vulnerabilities. 5) Apply any available security updates or patches from Microsoft as soon as they are released; if no patch is currently available, consider applying temporary mitigations such as disabling or restricting the Windows Storage Management Provider service if feasible without disrupting operations. 6) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege misuse and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the number of users with local access rights. 7) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect anomalous memory access or suspicious local processes that might exploit this vulnerability.