CVE-2025-59198 is a vulnerability identified in the Microsoft Windows Search Component within Windows 11 Version 25H2 (build 10.0.26200.0). The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20), which allows an authorized attacker with local access to supply crafted input that causes the search service to malfunction, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have local privileges and some level of user interaction, such as executing a malicious file or command locally. The impact is limited to availability, as the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity of data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.0 (medium), reflecting the local attack vector, low complexity, required privileges, and user interaction. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability could disrupt normal operations by crashing or hanging the Windows Search service, which is integral to file indexing and search functionalities on Windows 11. This could degrade user productivity and potentially impact dependent applications or workflows that rely on search capabilities. The vulnerability was reserved on September 10, 2025, and published on October 14, 2025, but no patch links are currently available, indicating that remediation may be pending. Organizations should monitor for updates from Microsoft and prepare to deploy fixes promptly. The vulnerability is tagged under CWE-20, emphasizing the importance of robust input validation in system components.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-59198 is operational disruption due to denial of service on Windows Search services. This can affect productivity, especially in environments heavily reliant on Windows Search for file retrieval, indexing, or integrated enterprise search solutions. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted exploitation could lead to significant downtime or degraded user experience. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies that depend on Windows 11 for daily operations may face interruptions. Additionally, organizations with strict uptime requirements or those using automated workflows dependent on search functionality could experience cascading effects. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or compromised endpoints pose the greatest risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future attacks once exploit code becomes available. European entities should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and incident response planning.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches immediately once available to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Restrict local user privileges to the minimum necessary, limiting the number of users who can execute code or interact with the Windows Search component. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection to prevent execution of unauthorized or suspicious code that could trigger the vulnerability. 4. Educate users about the risk of executing untrusted files or scripts locally to reduce the likelihood of user interaction-based exploitation. 5. Monitor Windows Search service logs and system event logs for unusual crashes or restarts that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Consider temporarily disabling or limiting Windows Search functionality in high-risk environments until patches are applied, if operationally feasible. 7. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect anomalous behavior related to search service disruptions. 8. Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests to identify and address local privilege escalation or code execution risks that could facilitate exploitation.