CVE-2025-59202 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416, discovered in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2, specifically build 10.0.26200.0. The flaw exists within the Windows Remote Desktop Services component, which manages remote connections to Windows machines. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. In this case, an authorized attacker with low privileges on the local system can exploit this vulnerability to elevate their privileges to higher levels, potentially SYSTEM or administrator level, without requiring user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.0 reflects 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 impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability all rated high (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability is currently published but has no known exploits in the wild and no patches released yet. The lack of patches means organizations must rely on mitigating controls until Microsoft issues an update. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security boundaries, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt system availability. Given the reliance on Remote Desktop Services in enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-59202 could be substantial. Many enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators in Europe use Windows 11 with Remote Desktop Services for remote administration and telework. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, enabling attackers to gain administrative control over affected systems. This could result in data breaches, disruption of services, deployment of ransomware, or lateral movement within networks. Confidentiality is at risk due to potential unauthorized data access; integrity is compromised by possible unauthorized changes to system configurations or software; and availability could be affected if attackers disrupt Remote Desktop Services or other critical functions. The high attack complexity and requirement for local access somewhat limit the attack surface but do not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or insufficient endpoint security. Organizations with remote or hybrid work models may face increased exposure. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the situation demands vigilance.

European organizations should implement specific mitigations beyond generic advice: 1) Restrict local access to systems running Windows 11 25H2, especially those exposing Remote Desktop Services, using strict access controls and network segmentation. 2) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual privilege escalations or memory corruption behaviors. 3) Enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the number of users with local access and administrative rights. 4) Disable or limit Remote Desktop Services where not strictly necessary or restrict its use to trusted networks and VPNs. 5) Prepare for rapid deployment of patches by establishing a robust patch management process, including testing and validation once Microsoft releases a fix. 6) Conduct user awareness training to reduce risks associated with local access compromise. 7) Utilize application whitelisting and exploit mitigation technologies like Control Flow Guard (CFG) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) to hinder exploitation. 8) Regularly audit and harden system configurations to reduce attack surface. These targeted steps will help reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation until a patch is available.