CVE-2025-50152 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified under CWE-125 found in the Windows Kernel of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability allows an attacker with authorized local access to perform an out-of-bounds memory read operation due to improper bounds checking in kernel code. The flaw can lead to elevation of privileges by enabling the attacker to read or manipulate kernel memory beyond intended boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information or corrupting kernel data structures. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require the attacker to have some level of local privileges (PR:L). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). The scope is unchanged, meaning the vulnerability affects the same security authority. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet, but the potential for privilege escalation makes it a critical concern for affected systems. The vulnerability is specific to Windows 10 Version 1809, an older but still in-use version of Windows 10, which may not receive mainstream support or patches promptly. The absence of patch links suggests that a fix may be pending or that organizations should upgrade to newer Windows versions to mitigate risk. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling full control over the affected machine and bypassing security controls.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-50152 is significant, especially for those still operating legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation allows attackers to escalate privileges locally, potentially leading to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. This is particularly concerning for sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where confidentiality and integrity of data are paramount. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks if attackers gain initial footholds on less privileged accounts. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, exploitation could result in loss of sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, operational downtime, and reputational damage. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of exploitation and high impact necessitate urgent action. Organizations relying on Windows 10 1809 in Europe should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation to avoid potential targeted attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-50152, European organizations should: 1) Immediately identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to understand exposure. 2) Apply any available security updates or patches from Microsoft as soon as they are released; if no patch is available, plan for rapid upgrade to a supported Windows version (e.g., Windows 10 21H2 or later). 3) Restrict local access to systems by enforcing strict access controls and limiting administrative privileges to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 4) Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious kernel-level activity or privilege escalation attempts. 5) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on legacy systems. 6) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of running unsupported OS versions and the importance of timely patching. 7) Use network segmentation to isolate legacy systems from critical infrastructure and sensitive data repositories. 8) Monitor security advisories from Microsoft and threat intelligence feeds for updates on exploit availability or new mitigation techniques.