CVE-2025-59241 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access) affecting the Windows Health and Optimized Experiences Service in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 (build 10.0.26200.0). The vulnerability occurs because the service improperly resolves symbolic links or junction points before accessing files, allowing an authorized local attacker to manipulate the file system path resolution process. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker with limited privileges can trick the service into accessing or modifying files in unintended locations, thereby escalating their privileges to higher levels on the system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require local access and some privileges (PR:L). The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attacker must have local access with low complexity and privileges but can achieve high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability without user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the critical nature of privilege escalation attacks. The Windows Health and Optimized Experiences Service is a core component that runs with elevated privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous if exploited. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention to mitigation strategies to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation on Windows 11 systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative control. This could result in data breaches, disruption of critical services, unauthorized changes to system configurations, and deployment of further malware or ransomware. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are at heightened risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the criticality of their operations. The vulnerability's local access requirement means that attackers would typically need to compromise a user account first, but once local access is obtained, the risk of full system compromise is significant. The high adoption rate of Windows 11 in Europe, especially in enterprise environments, amplifies the potential impact. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks where initial footholds are escalated to full control, complicating incident response and recovery efforts.

1. Apply security patches promptly once Microsoft releases them for this vulnerability. Monitor official Microsoft channels for updates. 2. Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing unauthorized users from gaining local access or executing code. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor and block suspicious activities related to file system access and privilege escalation attempts. 4. Regularly audit and monitor local accounts and privilege assignments to detect anomalies. 5. Use Group Policy to limit access to the Windows Health and Optimized Experiences Service where feasible. 6. Employ network segmentation and zero-trust principles to reduce the risk of lateral movement if an attacker gains local access. 7. Educate users about the risks of phishing and social engineering, which could lead to initial local access. 8. Maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans to mitigate the impact of potential exploitation.