CVE-2025-50159 is a use-after-free vulnerability categorized under CWE-416, affecting the Remote Access Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) EAP-TLS component in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior including potential code execution or privilege escalation. In this case, the flaw allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges by exploiting improper memory management in the PPP EAP-TLS implementation. The attacker must have local access and perform some user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining full control over the system. The vulnerability was published on August 12, 2025, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.3, indicating high severity. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a significant risk. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation steps to reduce exposure. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments using PPP EAP-TLS for remote access, common in enterprise networks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially those still operating Windows 10 Version 1809 systems, which may be common in legacy or specialized environments. The ability for a local attacker to elevate privileges can lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on secure remote access protocols like PPP EAP-TLS are particularly vulnerable. Exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within networks, enabling attackers to access sensitive information or disrupt operations. The impact extends to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, potentially causing regulatory compliance issues under GDPR and other European data protection laws. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score underscores the urgency of mitigation.

1. Apply official patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available to address CVE-2025-50159. 2. Until patches are released, consider disabling PPP EAP-TLS if it is not essential for business operations to reduce attack surface. 3. Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing unauthorized users from exploiting local vulnerabilities. 4. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, particularly those providing remote access services. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct regular audits to identify and upgrade legacy systems still running Windows 10 1809 to supported versions with ongoing security updates. 7. Educate users about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of avoiding suspicious activities that could trigger exploitation.