CVE-2025-50174 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 affecting the Windows Device Association Broker service in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 (build 10.0.26200.0). This vulnerability arises when the service improperly manages memory, allowing an attacker with authorized local access and low privileges to exploit the freed memory, leading to elevation of privileges. The flaw does not require user interaction but does require local access and a high attack complexity, indicating that exploitation is non-trivial but feasible under certain conditions. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker can gain elevated privileges and potentially execute arbitrary code or disrupt system operations. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.0 (high), reflecting the significant impact but mitigated by the requirement for local access and high attack complexity. No public exploits or patches are currently available, increasing the urgency for defensive measures. The Device Association Broker service is responsible for managing device associations and communications, making this vulnerability critical in environments where local user accounts are present. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in October 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Organizations running Windows 11 25H2 should be aware of this vulnerability and prepare for remediation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread adoption of Windows 11 in enterprise and government environments. Successful exploitation allows attackers with limited local privileges to escalate their rights, potentially gaining administrative control over affected systems. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and the deployment of further malware or ransomware. The impact is particularly severe for sectors with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and public administration. Additionally, organizations with shared or multi-user systems are at increased risk since any authorized local user could attempt exploitation. The lack of current public exploits reduces immediate risk but also means organizations must be proactive in mitigation. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios, increasing the threat landscape complexity for European entities.

Until an official patch is released, European organizations should implement several specific mitigations: 1) Restrict local access to systems running Windows 11 25H2 by enforcing strict physical and network access controls, including limiting administrative privileges and using strong authentication methods. 2) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor and block suspicious activities related to the Device Association Broker service. 3) Harden user account permissions to minimize the number of users with local privileges that could exploit this vulnerability. 4) Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual privilege escalation attempts or anomalous behavior on affected systems. 5) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. 6) Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once Microsoft releases updates by testing in controlled environments to avoid operational disruptions. 7) Consider isolating critical systems or using virtualization/containerization to limit the impact of potential exploitation.