CVE-2025-53802 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability identified in the Windows Bluetooth Service component of Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (build 10.0.20348.0). This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which pertains to use-after-free errors where a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. In this case, the flaw allows an authorized local attacker with low privileges to exploit the vulnerability to elevate their privileges on the affected system. The vulnerability requires local access and does not require user interaction, but it has a high attack complexity, meaning exploitation is not trivial and may require specific conditions or knowledge. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigations have been officially released yet. The vulnerability affects Windows Server 2022 specifically, which is widely used in enterprise environments for critical infrastructure and services. The Bluetooth Service component is typically responsible for managing Bluetooth device connections and communications, and this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers who have local access to the server to bypass security restrictions and gain administrative control.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and data centers relying on Windows Server 2022 for critical infrastructure, including cloud services, internal applications, and network management. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights, potentially resulting in data breaches, disruption of services, or lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, sensitive data could be exposed or manipulated, and critical services could be disrupted. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as attackers could leverage social engineering, phishing, or insider threats to gain initial access. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure. European organizations with compliance obligations under GDPR and other data protection regulations must consider the potential for data exposure and the associated legal and reputational consequences.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict and monitor local access to Windows Server 2022 systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel have physical or remote console access. 2) Employ strict access controls and use multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. 3) Disable or limit the use of Bluetooth services on servers where it is not required, reducing the attack surface. 4) Monitor system logs and security events for unusual activity related to Bluetooth services or privilege escalation attempts. 5) Apply the principle of least privilege to all user accounts and services to minimize potential damage from exploitation. 6) Prepare for patch deployment by establishing a rapid update process once Microsoft releases an official fix. 7) Conduct internal vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focusing on local privilege escalation vectors. 8) Educate staff about the risks of local access and insider threats to prevent unauthorized exploitation. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and affected component, helping to reduce exposure until a patch is available.