CVE-2025-60719 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw exists in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, a component responsible for network socket operations. The vulnerability arises from the improper dereferencing of pointers that are not properly validated or sanitized, allowing an attacker with local authorized access to manipulate memory references. This can lead to elevation of privileges, enabling the attacker to execute code with higher system privileges than originally granted. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The attack complexity is high (AC:H), indicating exploitation requires specialized conditions or knowledge. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), meaning an attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt system operations. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability is significant due to the potential for privilege escalation on affected systems. The vulnerability was published on November 11, 2025, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating organizations should prepare for imminent remediation. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments still running Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release but may remain in use in some enterprise or industrial contexts.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60719 can be substantial, especially in sectors relying on legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems such as manufacturing, healthcare, and government. Successful exploitation allows attackers to escalate privileges locally, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized data access, and disruption of critical services. This could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader breaches. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive personal and corporate data, conflicting with GDPR requirements. Integrity violations might result in unauthorized changes to system configurations or software, undermining trust in IT systems. Availability impacts could disrupt business operations, causing financial and reputational damage. The high attack complexity and requirement for local access somewhat limit the threat to insiders or attackers who have already gained initial footholds, but the absence of required user interaction increases risk in environments where local access controls are weak.

1. Apply security patches promptly once Microsoft releases them for Windows 10 Version 1809 to address CVE-2025-60719. 2. Restrict local access to systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 by enforcing strict access controls and using least privilege principles. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions to minimize the number of users with local access rights. 5. Consider upgrading affected systems to a more recent, supported Windows version to reduce exposure to legacy vulnerabilities. 6. Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised host. 7. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving local privilege escalation. 8. Use application whitelisting and exploit mitigation technologies such as Control Flow Guard (CFG) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) to reduce exploitation likelihood.