CVE-2025-53768 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the Xbox component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. In this case, the flaw allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected system. The attacker must have local access and low attack complexity is required, with no user interaction needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of the system, as it can lead to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning local attack vector, low complexity, privileges required but only low privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and known. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for organizations still running Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release but may still be in use in some environments due to legacy application dependencies or delayed upgrade cycles.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those still operating Windows 10 Version 1809 in production environments. Successful exploitation allows local attackers to escalate privileges, potentially gaining administrative control over affected systems. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and the deployment of further malware or ransomware. Critical infrastructure sectors, government agencies, and enterprises with legacy systems are at higher risk. The vulnerability's exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations could face data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised.

1. Apply security patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available for Windows 10 Version 1809. 2. If patching is not immediately possible, restrict local access to systems running this OS version by enforcing strict access controls and limiting user privileges. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious privilege escalation attempts. 4. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and privileges to minimize the number of users with local access rights. 5. Encourage upgrading to a supported and more recent Windows 10 version or Windows 11 to reduce exposure to legacy vulnerabilities. 6. Monitor system logs and security alerts for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving local privilege escalation.