CVE-2025-60705 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) affecting the Windows Client-Side Caching (CSC) service in Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The CSC service is responsible for caching network files locally to improve performance and offline availability. The vulnerability allows an authorized attacker with local access and limited privileges to escalate their privileges to higher levels, potentially SYSTEM or administrator rights, by exploiting improper access control mechanisms within the CSC service. This elevation of privilege does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy exploitation once local access is obtained. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8 (high), reflecting the significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and privileges required. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and patched status is currently not indicated, so systems remain at risk. The flaw could be leveraged by attackers who have gained initial local foothold through other means, such as phishing or physical access, to gain full control of affected systems. Given the widespread deployment of Windows 10 1809 in enterprise and government environments, this vulnerability represents a critical risk vector for lateral movement and privilege escalation within networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60705 can be substantial. Privilege escalation vulnerabilities enable attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, and deploy persistent malware or ransomware. Organizations relying on Windows 10 Version 1809, especially those with legacy systems or delayed patching cycles, face increased risk of internal compromise and lateral movement by threat actors. Critical infrastructure, government agencies, and enterprises with sensitive data are particularly vulnerable to confidentiality breaches and operational disruption. The vulnerability's ability to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability simultaneously means attackers could exfiltrate data, modify system configurations, or cause denial of service. The lack of required user interaction facilitates stealthy exploitation once local access is gained, which can be achieved through other attack vectors. This elevates the threat level for organizations with less stringent local user privilege management or physical security controls.

1. Apply official security patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available for Windows 10 Version 1809 systems to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are deployed, restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing unauthorized users from gaining local access or executing code. 3. Implement strict access controls on systems, including disabling unnecessary local accounts and enforcing strong authentication policies. 4. Monitor logs and system behavior for unusual privilege escalation attempts or CSC service anomalies. 5. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious local activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Consider upgrading affected systems to a supported and fully patched Windows version to reduce exposure to legacy vulnerabilities. 7. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and the importance of physical and logical access controls. 8. Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised endpoints within the organizational network.