CVE-2025-49680 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-59, which involves improper link resolution before file access, commonly referred to as 'link following'. This vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) specifically within the Windows Performance Recorder component. The flaw arises because the system improperly resolves symbolic links or junction points before accessing files, allowing an authorized local attacker to manipulate the file access path. By exploiting this, the attacker can cause a denial of service (DoS) condition locally. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.3 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges (PR:L), as well as user interaction (UI:R). The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), meaning the attacker could potentially disrupt system operations, corrupt data, or access sensitive information through this vulnerability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on workarounds or upcoming updates. The vulnerability's root cause is the failure to securely handle symbolic link resolution, which can be leveraged to redirect file operations to unintended locations, leading to system instability or denial of service. Given that Windows Performance Recorder is a diagnostic tool often used by administrators and advanced users, the attack surface is limited to authorized users with local access, but the impact on system stability and security is significant.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to systems running the specific Windows 10 Version 1809 build, which may still be in use in legacy environments or specialized industrial systems. The denial of service impact can disrupt critical business operations, especially in sectors relying on continuous system availability such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and public administration. Additionally, the potential compromise of confidentiality and integrity could lead to unauthorized data exposure or corruption, which is particularly sensitive under the EU's GDPR regulations. Organizations with strict compliance requirements may face regulatory and reputational consequences if this vulnerability is exploited. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from compromised user accounts. The lack of a patch at present means organizations must be vigilant in monitoring and controlling access to affected systems and tools. Overall, the threat could lead to operational downtime, data breaches, and compliance violations if not properly managed.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to Windows Performance Recorder to only trusted and necessary personnel to minimize the risk of local exploitation. 2. Implement strict user privilege management to ensure that only users with a legitimate need have local access and the ability to run diagnostic tools. 3. Monitor and audit the use of Windows Performance Recorder and related diagnostic utilities to detect unusual or unauthorized activity. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious attempts to exploit symbolic link vulnerabilities. 5. Where possible, upgrade affected systems to a newer, supported Windows version that does not contain this vulnerability, or apply any forthcoming patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available. 6. Educate users about the risks of interacting with unexpected prompts or requests related to diagnostic tools to reduce the chance of user-assisted exploitation. 7. Use file system permissions and access control lists (ACLs) to limit the creation and manipulation of symbolic links by non-administrative users. 8. In environments where Windows Performance Recorder is not essential, consider disabling or uninstalling the component to reduce the attack surface.