CVE-2025-50167 is a race condition vulnerability classified under CWE-362 affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically within the Hyper-V virtualization component. The vulnerability stems from improper synchronization during concurrent execution involving shared resources, which can lead to a race condition. This flaw allows an attacker with local authorized access to exploit the timing issue to elevate their privileges on the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have at least low-level privileges and local access to the system. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.0 reflects a high severity due to the potential for full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise if exploited. The attack complexity is high, meaning exploitation is non-trivial and requires precise timing or conditions. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that mitigation may rely on forthcoming updates from Microsoft. Hyper-V is widely used in enterprise and cloud environments for virtualization, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Windows 10 1809 for hosting virtual machines. Improper synchronization in concurrent execution can lead to unpredictable behavior, allowing privilege escalation that could enable attackers to gain SYSTEM-level access, bypass security controls, and potentially move laterally within networks.

The impact of CVE-2025-50167 on European organizations is significant due to the widespread use of Windows 10 Version 1809 in enterprise environments and the critical role of Hyper-V in virtualization infrastructure. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges from a low-level user to SYSTEM level, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data and systems. This could lead to unauthorized access to critical business applications, disruption of services, and potential data breaches. Organizations relying on virtualized environments for cloud services, development, or production workloads are at heightened risk. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the scope of compromise. Given the high attack complexity and requirement for local access, the threat is more relevant to insider threats or attackers who have already gained initial footholds. However, once exploited, the elevated privileges could enable deployment of malware, ransomware, or persistent backdoors, severely impacting operational continuity and regulatory compliance, especially under GDPR and other European data protection laws.

To mitigate CVE-2025-50167, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches immediately once available, as no official patch is currently linked. 2) Restrict local access to systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, especially those hosting Hyper-V, by enforcing strict access controls and using multi-factor authentication for local logins. 3) Implement robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior related to Hyper-V and privilege escalation attempts. 4) Limit the use of Windows 10 Version 1809 in critical environments by upgrading to supported, patched Windows versions where feasible. 5) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on virtualization hosts. 6) Employ application whitelisting and least privilege principles to reduce the attack surface. 7) Educate internal users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized software installation or execution. 8) Segment networks to contain potential lateral movement following exploitation. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access, monitoring virtualization-specific activities, and preparing for patch deployment.