CVE-2025-53151 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416, found in the Windows Kernel of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability allows an authorized attacker with local access and low privileges to exploit a flaw in kernel memory management, specifically a use-after-free condition, to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local, with low attack complexity and low privileges required, but it can lead to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on August 12, 2025, with no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The lack of a patch at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for mitigation. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security controls, execute arbitrary code in kernel mode, and potentially deploy further malware or ransomware. Given the kernel-level impact, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to system stability and security, especially in environments where Windows 10 Version 1809 remains in use despite its age and end-of-support status.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53151 is substantial. Organizations running legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and manufacturing, face a heightened risk of privilege escalation attacks that could lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges locally, potentially allowing lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, deployment of ransomware, or disruption of services. This is especially concerning for organizations that have not migrated to newer Windows versions or have delayed patching due to operational constraints. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data and critical systems could be severely affected, leading to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR and other European data protection laws. Additionally, the absence of known exploits currently does not preclude future weaponization, making proactive mitigation critical to avoid potential breaches.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched Windows version to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. Until upgrades are feasible, organizations should implement strict local access controls, limiting user permissions to the minimum necessary and employing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution. Monitoring and alerting for unusual kernel-mode activity or privilege escalation attempts should be enhanced using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. Network segmentation can reduce the risk of lateral movement if an attacker gains local access. Organizations should also review and harden their patch management policies to ensure timely application of future Microsoft security updates addressing this vulnerability. Where possible, disabling unnecessary local accounts and services can reduce the attack surface. Finally, conducting regular security awareness training to prevent unauthorized physical or remote local access can further mitigate risk.