CVE-2025-53724 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type, or type confusion) affecting the Windows Push Notifications component in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This flaw arises when the system improperly handles resource types, allowing an attacker who already has some level of local access (low privilege) to confuse the system into accessing resources in an unintended manner. This can lead to privilege escalation, enabling the attacker to gain higher privileges than originally granted. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require the attacker to have local privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, meaning that successful exploitation could allow an attacker to fully compromise the affected system. No public exploits or patches have been reported yet, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may be targeted in the future. The vulnerability is specific to Windows 10 Version 1809, a version that, while older, remains in use in some environments due to legacy application dependencies or delayed upgrade cycles. The flaw resides in the Windows Push Notifications mechanism, which is responsible for delivering notifications to the user interface, and improper type handling there can be leveraged to manipulate system behavior. This vulnerability is significant because privilege escalation is a common step in multi-stage attacks, allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain persistent, high-level access.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53724 can be substantial, especially for those still running Windows 10 Version 1809 in production environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers with limited local access—such as through compromised user accounts or insider threats—to escalate privileges to SYSTEM or administrator level, thereby gaining full control over affected machines. This could lead to data breaches, disruption of critical services, or deployment of ransomware and other malware. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity and criticality of their data and systems. The lack of available patches increases the window of exposure, and the absence of required user interaction means attacks could be automated or executed stealthily. Additionally, legacy systems that cannot be easily upgraded may remain vulnerable for extended periods, increasing risk exposure. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value assets within European enterprises, potentially impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information systems.

Given the absence of official patches, European organizations should implement specific mitigations beyond generic advice: 1) Restrict local access strictly by enforcing least privilege principles and limiting administrative rights to essential personnel only. 2) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor and block suspicious local activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3) Harden Windows Push Notifications by disabling or restricting notification services where feasible, especially on systems that do not require them. 4) Conduct thorough audits of systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to identify and prioritize vulnerable endpoints for upgrade or isolation. 5) Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement from compromised local accounts. 6) Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once Microsoft releases updates by testing and validating them in controlled environments. 7) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and encourage reporting of unusual system behavior. 8) Consider upgrading affected systems to supported Windows versions with active security updates to eliminate exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities.