CVE-2025-53154 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 17763.0). The flaw exists in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, a component responsible for network socket operations. The vulnerability occurs when the driver dereferences a null pointer, leading to undefined behavior that an attacker can leverage to escalate privileges locally. Exploitation requires the attacker to have authorized local access but does not require user interaction, making it a potent vector for privilege escalation once local access is obtained. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by potentially allowing attackers to execute code with elevated privileges or cause system crashes. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and complete impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is officially published and reserved since June 2025. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments still running Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release but may remain in use in certain enterprise or industrial contexts. Attackers could chain this vulnerability with other local access methods to gain full system control.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53154 can be significant, especially in sectors where Windows 10 Version 1809 remains deployed due to legacy application compatibility or delayed upgrade cycles. Successful exploitation allows attackers to elevate privileges locally, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized data access, or disruption of critical services. This can affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by causing system instability or denial of service. Organizations in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government sectors are particularly at risk due to the critical nature of their data and services. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation. However, the presence of low attack complexity and no user interaction means that once local access is gained, exploitation is straightforward, increasing the threat level. The vulnerability also poses risks for insider threats or attackers who gain initial footholds through other means.

1. Prioritize upgrading affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched Windows version to eliminate exposure. 2. Until upgrades are feasible, implement strict local access controls and limit administrative privileges to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4. Regularly audit and harden network and host configurations to minimize the attack surface, including disabling unnecessary services and restricting access to WinSock components where possible. 5. Monitor vendor communications for patch releases and apply security updates promptly once available. 6. Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of initial local access through social engineering or phishing. 7. Use virtualization or sandboxing for legacy applications to isolate vulnerable systems. 8. Implement robust logging and incident response plans to detect and respond to exploitation attempts quickly.