CVE-2025-59216 is a race condition vulnerability classified under CWE-362, found in the Microsoft Graphics Component of Windows Server 2025, specifically impacting Server Core installations with version 10.0.26100.0. The flaw arises from improper synchronization during concurrent execution of shared resources, allowing an attacker with local authorized access to exploit the timing issue to elevate their privileges. This means that an attacker who already has limited local access can manipulate the race condition to gain higher privileges, potentially SYSTEM-level, thereby compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but has a high attack complexity, indicating that exploitation demands precise timing and conditions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, reflecting high severity with local attack vector, high attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits or patches are currently available, increasing the urgency for defensive measures. The Server Core installation is often used in enterprise and data center environments for its minimal footprint and reduced attack surface, but this vulnerability undermines that security assumption. The race condition in the graphics component is particularly critical because graphics subsystems often run with elevated privileges and interact with multiple system components, amplifying the potential damage from exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially those operating critical infrastructure, cloud services, and enterprise data centers relying on Windows Server 2025 Server Core installations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges from a low-level local account to administrative or SYSTEM level, enabling them to deploy malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt services, or pivot within networks. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that data breaches, service outages, and system compromises could occur. Given the increasing adoption of Windows Server 2025 in Europe’s public and private sectors, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of industries including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the presence of a race condition suggests potential for future exploit development. The Server Core installation’s use in automated and containerized environments may also increase the attack surface if local access controls are not strictly enforced.

1. Immediately restrict local access to Windows Server 2025 Server Core systems to trusted administrators only, minimizing the number of accounts with local login rights. 2. Implement strict privilege separation and use Just Enough Administration (JEA) to limit administrative privileges. 3. Monitor system logs and audit local privilege escalation attempts and unusual graphics component activity. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Until a patch is released, consider isolating Server Core installations from less trusted networks and users to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 6. Regularly update and review group policies to enforce least privilege and secure configuration baselines. 7. Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once Microsoft releases them by maintaining an up-to-date inventory of affected systems. 8. Conduct internal penetration testing focusing on local privilege escalation vectors to identify potential exploitation paths.