CVE-2025-55689 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 affecting the Windows PrintWorkflowUserSvc service in Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (version 10.0.20348.0). Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, potentially leading to memory corruption, arbitrary code execution, or system crashes. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with authorized local access and low privileges to exploit the flaw to elevate their privileges on the system. The attacker does not require user interaction, but the attack complexity is high due to the need for local access and specific conditions to trigger the flaw. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling privilege escalation, which could lead to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.0, reflecting a high severity with attack vector local (AV:L), attack complexity high (AC:H), privileges required low (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability is officially published and should be addressed promptly. The flaw resides in a core Windows Server component responsible for print workflow management, a service commonly enabled in enterprise environments. Exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain administrative privileges, posing a serious threat to server stability and security.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-55689 can be significant, especially for those relying on Windows Server 2022 for critical infrastructure, enterprise applications, or print services. Successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights, potentially compromising sensitive data, disrupting services, or deploying ransomware and other malware. This could affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive information, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by causing system instability or denial of service. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and manufacturing, which often use Windows Server environments, could face operational disruptions and regulatory compliance issues. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or attackers who gain initial footholds through other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity demands urgent attention to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Restrict local access to Windows Server 2022 systems, especially limiting administrative and service accounts that can interact with PrintWorkflowUserSvc. 2. Implement strict access control policies and monitor user activities to detect unusual privilege escalation attempts or anomalous behavior related to print services. 3. Disable or restrict the PrintWorkflowUserSvc service if print workflow functionality is not required in the environment to reduce the attack surface. 4. Prepare for deployment of official patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available; maintain up-to-date patch management processes. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying use-after-free exploitation techniques and privilege escalation attempts. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on Windows Server configurations and privilege management. 7. Educate system administrators and security teams about this vulnerability and the importance of limiting local privilege escalation vectors. 8. Use application whitelisting and least privilege principles to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.