CVE-2025-60707 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the Multimedia Class Scheduler Service (MMCSS) component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. In this case, the flaw allows an authorized local attacker—meaning someone with limited access to the system—to elevate their privileges without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by potentially allowing attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, thereby taking full control over the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity with attack vector local, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and complete impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported as of the publication date (November 11, 2025). The vulnerability is specific to Windows 10 Version 1809, a legacy OS version that Microsoft has largely superseded but which may still be operational in some environments. The lack of patch links suggests that either patches are pending or that mitigation involves upgrading to a newer Windows version. This vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where legacy Windows 10 systems remain in use, especially in scenarios where local user accounts have limited privileges but could leverage this flaw to gain elevated access.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60707 can be substantial, particularly for those still running Windows 10 Version 1809 in production or critical infrastructure environments. Successful exploitation allows local attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and lateral movement within networks. This can affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive information, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by enabling denial-of-service conditions or system instability. Sectors such as government, healthcare, finance, and industrial control systems that rely on legacy Windows 10 installations are at heightened risk. Additionally, organizations with less mature patch management or those constrained by legacy application compatibility may face challenges in timely remediation. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits given the public disclosure. The vulnerability's local attack vector means that insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges, increasing insider risk profiles.

To mitigate CVE-2025-60707, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to assess exposure. 2) Apply any available security patches from Microsoft promptly; if no direct patch exists, plan and execute an upgrade to a supported Windows version (e.g., Windows 10 21H2 or later, or Windows 11). 3) Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable versions by enforcing strict access controls and limiting user privileges to the minimum necessary. 4) Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous privilege escalation attempts. 5) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on legacy systems. 6) Educate IT staff and users about the risks of legacy OS usage and the importance of timely updates. 7) For critical infrastructure, consider network segmentation to isolate legacy systems and reduce attack surface. 8) Monitor security advisories from Microsoft for updates or workarounds related to this vulnerability. These steps go beyond generic advice by emphasizing legacy system identification, access restriction, and compensating controls tailored to environments where upgrading may be delayed.