CVE-2025-60707 is a use-after-free vulnerability categorized under CWE-416 affecting the Multimedia Class Scheduler Service (MMCSS) in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). MMCSS is a Windows service responsible for managing multimedia tasks with prioritized scheduling to improve audio and video performance. The vulnerability arises when MMCSS improperly handles memory, freeing an object while it is still in use, which can lead to execution of arbitrary code or corruption of memory. An attacker with local access and low privileges can exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, gaining full control over the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with relatively low attack complexity and no requirement for user interaction. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to systems that remain unpatched or unsupported. The vulnerability was published on November 11, 2025, with no patches currently linked, indicating a need for vigilance and prompt remediation once updates are released. This vulnerability primarily affects legacy Windows 10 1809 installations, which may still be in use in some enterprise environments due to compatibility or operational constraints.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a serious risk of local privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers who have gained limited access (e.g., through phishing or insider threats) to fully compromise affected systems. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and lateral movement within networks. Industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, which often have legacy systems and stringent data protection requirements under GDPR, are particularly vulnerable. The compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational downtime. The lack of public exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. Organizations relying on Windows 10 Version 1809 should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Immediately inventory and identify all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) within the organization. 2. Monitor official Microsoft channels for the release of security patches addressing CVE-2025-60707 and apply them promptly once available. 3. Where patching is delayed or not possible, plan and execute an upgrade to a supported and fully patched Windows version to eliminate exposure. 4. Implement strict local access controls and limit the number of users with local login privileges to reduce the attack surface. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious local privilege escalation attempts and anomalous MMCSS behavior. 6. Conduct regular security awareness training to reduce the risk of initial local access through social engineering or insider threats. 7. Harden system configurations by disabling unnecessary services and applying the principle of least privilege to all accounts. 8. Use application whitelisting and exploit mitigation technologies such as Control Flow Guard (CFG) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) to reduce exploitation likelihood. 9. Maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.