CVE-2025-49741 is a high-severity information disclosure vulnerability affecting Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based), specifically version 1.0.0.0. The vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose sensitive information over a network without requiring prior authentication, though user interaction is necessary to trigger the exploit. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 reflects the significant confidentiality impact (high confidentiality loss), no impact on integrity or availability, and the fact that the attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially allowing cross-origin or cross-privilege information leaks. The lack of a CWE classification suggests the issue may be novel or not fitting standard categories, but it is confirmed by Microsoft and publicly disclosed as of July 1, 2025. The vulnerability likely involves a flaw in how Microsoft Edge handles certain web content or network responses, enabling attackers to extract sensitive data from the browser or its environment. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links are provided yet, indicating the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may be under active investigation or remediation by Microsoft.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality of sensitive data accessed or processed via Microsoft Edge. Since Edge is widely used in enterprise and government sectors across Europe, especially in countries with strong Microsoft ecosystem adoption, the potential for unauthorized data disclosure could lead to exposure of intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, or confidential communications. The network-based attack vector means attackers can attempt exploitation remotely, increasing the threat surface. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., visiting a malicious website or clicking a crafted link) means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be leveraged to trigger the vulnerability. Given the scope change, attackers might access data beyond the browser sandbox, potentially impacting other applications or system components. This could undermine trust in web-based services and complicate compliance with European data protection regulations. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the high severity and public disclosure necessitate prompt attention to prevent future exploitation.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Immediately monitor for official Microsoft security advisories and apply patches as soon as they become available to address CVE-2025-49741. 2) Implement network-level protections such as web filtering and intrusion detection systems to block access to known malicious URLs or suspicious web content that could trigger the vulnerability. 3) Educate users about phishing and social engineering risks, emphasizing caution when clicking links or visiting unfamiliar websites, to reduce the likelihood of user interaction exploitation. 4) Employ browser security policies via group policy or endpoint management tools to restrict or sandbox untrusted content and limit browser extensions that could be leveraged in attacks. 5) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on browser security to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous browser behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7) Review and tighten data access controls and encryption to minimize the impact of any potential data disclosure.