CVE-2025-53156 is a vulnerability identified in the Storage Port Driver component of Microsoft Windows Server 2025, specifically affecting the Server Core installation version 10.0.26100.0. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200, which involves the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. In this case, an attacker with authorized local access and low privileges can exploit the vulnerability to disclose sensitive information stored or processed by the Storage Port Driver. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and does not affect system integrity or availability, but it compromises confidentiality by leaking potentially sensitive data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), with low complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and resulting in high confidentiality impact (C:H) but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The vulnerability was reserved on June 26, 2025, and published on August 12, 2025. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been released yet. The Server Core installation is a minimal Windows Server configuration often used in data centers and cloud environments, which may limit exposure but also means that administrators should be vigilant about local access controls. The vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers who have gained limited local access to escalate their information gathering capabilities, potentially aiding further attacks or data exfiltration.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality of sensitive data on Windows Server 2025 Server Core installations. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Windows Server 2025 for local storage or processing could face data leakage risks if an attacker gains local access. Although the vulnerability requires local privileges, insider threats or attackers who have compromised low-privilege accounts could exploit it to gather sensitive information. This could facilitate further lateral movement or targeted attacks. The lack of impact on integrity and availability reduces the risk of service disruption but does not diminish the potential damage from information exposure. Given the widespread use of Microsoft server products in Europe, especially in enterprise and public sector environments, the vulnerability could have broad implications if not mitigated promptly. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk, but the medium severity rating suggests organizations should prioritize monitoring and remediation.

1. Restrict and tightly control local access to Windows Server 2025 Server Core installations, ensuring only trusted administrators have local privileges. 2. Implement strict privilege management and use least privilege principles to minimize the number of accounts with local access. 3. Monitor local system logs and audit access to Storage Port Driver components for unusual or unauthorized activity. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious local privilege use or information disclosure attempts. 5. Once Microsoft releases patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-53156, apply them promptly in all affected environments. 6. Consider network segmentation and isolation of critical servers to reduce the risk of attackers gaining local access. 7. Conduct regular security awareness training to reduce insider threat risks and improve detection of suspicious behavior. 8. Evaluate alternative configurations or additional security controls such as application whitelisting or enhanced access control mechanisms to further protect sensitive components.