CVE-2025-55683: CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-55683 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting Microsoft Windows Server 2016, specifically version 10.0.14393.0. The flaw resides in the Windows Kernel, allowing an attacker with authorized local access and limited privileges to disclose sensitive information that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), and requires privileges (PR:L). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to gain access to sensitive kernel memory or system information that could aid in further attacks or privilege escalation. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability has been officially published and reserved since August 2025. The lack of remote exploitation capability limits the attack surface primarily to insiders or compromised accounts with local access.
Potential Impact
The primary impact of CVE-2025-55683 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information within Windows Server 2016 environments. This can lead to leakage of critical system data, potentially exposing kernel memory contents or other protected information. While the vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or system disruption, the exposed information could be leveraged by attackers to facilitate privilege escalation, lateral movement, or further exploitation within the network. Organizations relying on Windows Server 2016 for critical infrastructure, especially those with multiple users having local access, face increased risk of insider threats or compromised accounts exploiting this flaw. The impact is contained to confidentiality, but the sensitivity of the leaked information could have significant operational and security consequences. Since no known exploits are in the wild, the immediate risk is moderate, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local access to Windows Server 2016 systems only to trusted and authorized personnel. Employing the principle of least privilege can reduce the risk of exploitation by limiting the privileges of local users. Monitoring and auditing local user activities can help detect suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Since no patches are currently available, organizations should stay informed through official Microsoft security advisories for updates or hotfix releases addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous kernel-level activities. If feasible, upgrading to a more recent and supported Windows Server version with active security updates can mitigate exposure. Network segmentation and isolation of critical servers can further reduce the risk of lateral movement if exploitation occurs.
Affected Countries
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, Netherlands, Singapore
CVE-2025-55683: CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Microsoft Windows Server 2016
Description
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-55683 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting Microsoft Windows Server 2016, specifically version 10.0.14393.0. The flaw resides in the Windows Kernel, allowing an attacker with authorized local access and limited privileges to disclose sensitive information that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), and requires privileges (PR:L). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H) but none on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to gain access to sensitive kernel memory or system information that could aid in further attacks or privilege escalation. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability has been officially published and reserved since August 2025. The lack of remote exploitation capability limits the attack surface primarily to insiders or compromised accounts with local access.
Potential Impact
The primary impact of CVE-2025-55683 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information within Windows Server 2016 environments. This can lead to leakage of critical system data, potentially exposing kernel memory contents or other protected information. While the vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or system disruption, the exposed information could be leveraged by attackers to facilitate privilege escalation, lateral movement, or further exploitation within the network. Organizations relying on Windows Server 2016 for critical infrastructure, especially those with multiple users having local access, face increased risk of insider threats or compromised accounts exploiting this flaw. The impact is contained to confidentiality, but the sensitivity of the leaked information could have significant operational and security consequences. Since no known exploits are in the wild, the immediate risk is moderate, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local access to Windows Server 2016 systems only to trusted and authorized personnel. Employing the principle of least privilege can reduce the risk of exploitation by limiting the privileges of local users. Monitoring and auditing local user activities can help detect suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Since no patches are currently available, organizations should stay informed through official Microsoft security advisories for updates or hotfix releases addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous kernel-level activities. If feasible, upgrading to a more recent and supported Windows Server version with active security updates can mitigate exposure. Network segmentation and isolation of critical servers can further reduce the risk of lateral movement if exploitation occurs.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2025-08-13T20:00:27.682Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68ee85853dd1bfb0b7e3f160
Added to database: 10/14/2025, 5:16:53 PM
Last enriched: 2/28/2026, 1:58:01 PM
Last updated: 3/27/2026, 10:17:05 AM
Views: 63
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
External Links
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.