CVE-2025-54102 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability identified in the Windows Connected Devices Platform Service on Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of memory, where the service attempts to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior. This flaw can be exploited by an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected system. Specifically, the attacker must have some level of local access (low privileges) and can leverage this vulnerability to gain higher privileges, potentially SYSTEM-level, thereby compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free), a common memory corruption issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation if exploited successfully. Given the affected component is a core Windows service related to connected devices, exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls and execute code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and government agencies still operating Windows 10 Version 1809, which, despite being an older release, may remain in use due to legacy application dependencies or delayed upgrade cycles. Successful exploitation could allow attackers with limited local access—such as through compromised user accounts or insider threats—to escalate privileges and gain administrative control. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, deployment of malware or ransomware, and lateral movement within networks. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that data breaches, system outages, and loss of trust are plausible consequences. Organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements (e.g., finance, healthcare, critical infrastructure) may face compliance violations and legal repercussions if this vulnerability is exploited. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the presence of a public CVE and high severity score may attract attackers to develop exploits targeting unpatched systems.

Given the absence of an official patch at this time, European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, prioritizing those in sensitive or critical environments. 2) Apply strict access controls to limit local user privileges, ensuring users operate with the least privilege necessary to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts targeting use-after-free vulnerabilities. 4) Monitor Windows Connected Devices Platform Service activity and related system logs for unusual events or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Where feasible, accelerate migration to supported and updated Windows versions with active security support and patches. 6) Implement network segmentation to contain potential compromises and restrict lateral movement from affected hosts. 7) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and enforce strong authentication and session management policies to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 8) Stay alert for official patches or security advisories from Microsoft and apply them promptly once available.