CVE-2025-59190 is a vulnerability identified in the Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 Search Component, specifically due to improper input validation (CWE-20). The flaw allows an unauthorized attacker with local access to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by supplying crafted input to the Windows Search service, which fails to properly validate this input. This improper validation can lead to a crash or resource exhaustion, rendering the search functionality or potentially the entire system unstable or unresponsive. The vulnerability requires no privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), meaning the attacker must convince a user to perform some action locally. The attack vector is local (AV:L), limiting remote exploitation possibilities. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the limited scope and impact confined to availability without affecting confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been released at the time of publication. The vulnerability was reserved on 2025-09-10 and published on 2025-10-14. The lack of patches necessitates interim mitigations to reduce risk. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in system components that handle user or application input, especially those running with system privileges like Windows Search.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-59190 is the potential for local denial of service attacks that disrupt endpoint availability. This could lead to temporary loss of Windows Search functionality or broader system instability, affecting user productivity and operational continuity. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and manufacturing, which rely heavily on Windows 11 endpoints, may experience interruptions in daily operations. While the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data or allow privilege escalation, the availability impact could be leveraged in targeted attacks to cause disruption or as part of multi-stage attacks. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits the risk of widespread remote exploitation but increases the threat in environments where attackers can gain physical or remote desktop access. Organizations with large Windows 11 25H2 deployments should be particularly vigilant. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat of future exploitation once proof-of-concept code becomes available.

1. Restrict local access to Windows 11 endpoints, especially in sensitive environments, by enforcing strict physical security and limiting remote desktop access to trusted users only. 2. Educate users to avoid interacting with untrusted or suspicious content that could trigger the vulnerability locally. 3. Monitor system logs and Windows Search service stability for unusual crashes or resource spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior related to Windows Search. 5. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial of service incidents. 6. Once Microsoft releases patches or updates addressing this vulnerability, prioritize their deployment across all affected Windows 11 25H2 systems. 7. Consider temporarily disabling or restricting Windows Search service usage in high-risk environments until a patch is available, if operationally feasible.