CVE-2025-47985 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) involving an untrusted pointer dereference within the Windows Event Tracing (ETW) subsystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-822, which pertains to untrusted pointer dereference errors. In this context, the flaw allows an attacker with authorized local access and limited privileges (low-level privileges) to manipulate pointers in a way that the system dereferences untrusted memory locations. This can lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation by corrupting memory or executing malicious code in kernel mode. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker could gain full control over the affected system. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), so the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a significant risk, especially in environments where Windows 10 Version 1809 is still in use. Since the vulnerability affects Event Tracing, a core Windows component used for diagnostics and monitoring, exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls and elevate privileges from a low-privileged user to SYSTEM or equivalent. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation and risk management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly for enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators that still run Windows 10 Version 1809. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges locally, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and the deployment of further malware or ransomware. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations could face data breaches, operational downtime, and compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. The local attack vector means that attackers need some form of initial access, which could be achieved via phishing, insider threats, or exploiting other vulnerabilities. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score indicates that threat actors may develop exploits soon. European organizations with legacy systems or delayed patching cycles are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, sectors with high security requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, could suffer significant operational and reputational damage if targeted.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on upgrading affected systems to a supported and patched version of Windows 10 or later, as Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release and may no longer receive security updates. 2. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges, ensuring that only trusted users have local access to vulnerable systems. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to privilege escalation attempts. 4. Monitor Event Tracing logs and system event logs for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Use network segmentation to isolate critical systems and reduce the risk of lateral movement by attackers who gain local access. 6. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory to identify systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 and prioritize remediation. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and enforce the principle of least privilege. 8. Prepare incident response plans to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts. 9. Stay updated with Microsoft security advisories for the release of patches or workarounds related to this CVE.