CVE-2025-54116 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) found in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically affecting Windows MultiPoint Services. This vulnerability allows an attacker who already has authorized local access to elevate their privileges beyond their current level. The flaw arises from insufficient enforcement of access control policies within the MultiPoint Services component, which is designed to enable multiple users to simultaneously share a single computer. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain higher privileges, potentially SYSTEM-level, enabling them to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, or disrupt system availability. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.3 reflects a high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The affected version is Windows 10 build 17763.0 (Version 1809), which is an older release, often still in use in legacy environments. The vulnerability was reserved in July 2025 and published in September 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Lack of patch links suggests that either patches are pending or not yet publicly linked, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive mitigation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-54116 can be significant, particularly for those still operating legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation allows local attackers to escalate privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and deployment of malware or ransomware with elevated rights. Sectors such as education, government, and enterprises using Windows MultiPoint Services for shared computing environments are especially vulnerable. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems can be severely impacted, leading to operational downtime, data breaches, and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation risk but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from compromised user accounts. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future active exploitation, making timely mitigation critical.

1. Apply official patches or updates from Microsoft as soon as they become available for Windows 10 Version 1809 systems, prioritizing those running MultiPoint Services. 2. If patching is not immediately possible, consider upgrading affected systems to a supported and more recent Windows version that does not contain this vulnerability. 3. Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, especially limiting access to MultiPoint Services components. 4. Implement strict user account control policies and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious activities on endpoints. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to privilege escalation. 6. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted content or executing unknown programs to reduce the likelihood of user interaction-based exploitation. 7. Regularly audit and inventory systems to identify legacy Windows 10 1809 deployments and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. 8. Use application whitelisting and other hardening techniques to limit the execution of unauthorized code.