CVE-2025-55226 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-362 (Race Condition) affecting the Graphics Kernel component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The issue stems from improper synchronization when multiple threads or processes concurrently access shared resources, leading to a race condition. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker with local access and limited privileges who also requires user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, reflecting medium severity due to the attack vector being local, requiring high attack complexity, low privileges, and user interaction. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported, but the vulnerability remains a significant risk for systems still running this outdated Windows version. The lack of available patches in the provided data suggests that organizations must consider upgrading or applying any forthcoming updates from Microsoft. The Graphics Kernel is a critical component responsible for rendering and managing graphical operations, so exploitation could lead to system crashes or persistent compromise. The vulnerability's presence in a legacy OS version increases risk, as many organizations may have limited security controls or mitigations in place for such environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-55226 is considerable, especially for those still operating Windows 10 Version 1809 in production environments. Exploitation could lead to local privilege escalation, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially resulting in data breaches, disruption of services, or deployment of malware such as ransomware. Critical infrastructure sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government, that rely on legacy systems may face increased risk of operational disruption and data compromise. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or risks from social engineering. Organizations with insufficient endpoint security or weak privilege management are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for remediation before active attacks emerge. However, the medium severity rating necessitates timely mitigation to prevent potential exploitation that could impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive systems and data.

1. Upgrade affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and fully patched Windows version (e.g., Windows 10 21H2 or later, or Windows 11) to eliminate the vulnerability. 2. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, monitor Microsoft’s security advisories closely for any released patches or workarounds and apply them promptly. 3. Implement strict local user privilege management to minimize the number of users with elevated rights, reducing the risk of local exploitation. 4. Enforce strong user interaction controls and educate users to recognize and avoid social engineering attempts that could trigger the vulnerability. 5. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious local activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Restrict access to critical systems physically and logically to trusted personnel only. 7. Regularly audit and harden system configurations, including kernel-level protections and code integrity policies, to mitigate exploitation vectors. 8. Maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to minimize impact in case of compromise. 9. Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focusing on legacy systems to identify and remediate similar risks proactively.