CVE-2025-59214 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200, indicating an exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. It affects Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0), specifically within the Windows File Explorer component. The vulnerability allows an attacker to perform spoofing attacks over a network, which can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), and does not require any privileges (PR:N). However, it requires user interaction (UI:R), such as the user opening a malicious file or network share. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component and does not extend to other system components. The confidentiality impact is high (C:H), indicating significant sensitive data exposure, but there is no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). The exploitability level is uncertain (E:U), and the vulnerability is currently under official review with no known exploits in the wild. No patches have been officially linked yet, but the vulnerability was published on October 14, 2025, with a reserved date of September 11, 2025. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to deceive users or systems into revealing sensitive information by spoofing network resources or file shares, potentially facilitating further attacks or data leakage.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-59214 is the unauthorized exposure of sensitive information, which can lead to data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and potential compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Windows 10 Version 1809 are particularly at risk. The vulnerability could be exploited remotely over a network without requiring credentials, increasing the attack surface, especially in environments with remote access or shared network resources. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could enable attackers to gather intelligence, conduct social engineering, or prepare for more severe attacks. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits the risk but does not eliminate it, especially in environments where users frequently interact with network shares or external files. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but also means organizations should proactively mitigate and monitor for potential exploitation attempts.

1. Restrict network exposure of Windows 10 Version 1809 systems by limiting access to trusted networks and disabling unnecessary network services related to File Explorer sharing. 2. Educate users to avoid interacting with untrusted network shares, files, or links that could trigger the vulnerability. 3. Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems from critical assets and reduce lateral movement opportunities. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual spoofing or file sharing activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Apply any forthcoming security patches from Microsoft promptly once available. 6. Consider upgrading affected systems to a supported and patched Windows version if feasible, as Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release with limited support. 7. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious user interactions or network activities related to File Explorer. 8. Review and tighten group policies related to network discovery and file sharing to minimize exposure.