CVE-2025-59208 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified under CWE-125 found in the Windows MapUrlToZone function in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 (build 10.0.26200.0). The vulnerability arises when the MapUrlToZone function improperly handles URL zone mapping, leading to an out-of-bounds read condition. This flaw can be exploited by an unauthorized attacker remotely over a network to disclose sensitive information from the affected system. The vulnerability does not require any privileges but does require user interaction, such as clicking a malicious link or opening a crafted URL. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating high severity, with a vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), low integrity impact (I:L), and no availability impact (A:N). The vulnerability is currently published with no known exploits in the wild and no patches publicly available yet. The flaw primarily threatens confidentiality by allowing attackers to read memory outside intended bounds, potentially leaking sensitive information such as credentials or internal system data. Since the vulnerability is in a core Windows component, it affects a broad range of systems running the specified Windows 11 version. The lack of required privileges and network attack vector make this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may be targeted via phishing or malicious web content.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-59208 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, which can lead to data breaches, exposure of credentials, or leakage of internal system details. This can undermine confidentiality and may facilitate further attacks such as lateral movement or privilege escalation. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing campaigns or malicious web content could be effective attack vectors. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are at heightened risk due to the sensitivity of the data potentially exposed. The vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, but the information disclosure could indirectly lead to more severe compromises. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high CVSS score and network attack vector indicate that exploitation could be relatively straightforward once exploit code becomes available. European enterprises relying heavily on Windows 11 25H2 for desktops and workstations should prioritize risk assessments and mitigation planning.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches immediately once released to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, restrict or block access to untrusted URLs and domains to reduce exposure to malicious content triggering the vulnerability. 3. Implement robust email filtering and phishing detection to prevent users from interacting with malicious links or attachments. 4. Educate users about the risks of clicking unknown or suspicious URLs, emphasizing the need for caution with unsolicited communications. 5. Employ network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of any potential information disclosure. 6. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for unusual memory access patterns or suspicious network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Consider disabling or restricting the use of the MapUrlToZone function via group policies or application control if feasible in the environment. 8. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify and remediate related weaknesses proactively.