CVE-2025-62217 is a race condition vulnerability classified under CWE-362, affecting the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock in Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw arises from improper synchronization when multiple threads or processes concurrently access shared resources, leading to a race condition. This can be exploited by an attacker with local authorized access to elevate privileges on the affected system. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by allowing unauthorized privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to execute code with higher privileges or disrupt system operations. The attack complexity is high, requiring specific timing and conditions to trigger the race condition, and no user interaction is necessary once local access is obtained. The vulnerability does not currently have publicly available exploits, but its presence in a widely deployed operating system version makes it a significant concern. The lack of patch links indicates that a fix may not yet be released, emphasizing the need for vigilance and interim mitigations. The vulnerability's CVSS v3.1 score is 7.0, reflecting its high severity due to the potential impact and the requirement for local privileges and high attack complexity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, particularly for those still operating Windows 10 Version 1809 in production environments, including legacy systems and industrial control systems. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges locally, bypassing security controls and gaining elevated access to sensitive data and critical system functions. This could lead to data breaches, disruption of services, and further lateral movement within networks. The impact is especially critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government, where confidentiality and system integrity are paramount. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or compromised endpoints could be leveraged. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation, making proactive mitigation essential.

1. Apply security patches promptly once Microsoft releases an official fix for CVE-2025-62217. 2. Restrict local administrative and user access to systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, minimizing the number of users with local privileges. 3. Implement strict endpoint security controls, including application whitelisting and behavior monitoring, to detect and prevent suspicious local privilege escalation attempts. 4. Use network segmentation to isolate legacy systems and limit lateral movement opportunities. 5. Regularly audit and review user permissions and remove unnecessary local access rights. 6. Employ advanced threat detection solutions capable of identifying race condition exploitation patterns or anomalous process behaviors. 7. Consider upgrading affected systems to newer, supported Windows versions where this vulnerability is not present. 8. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and the importance of maintaining secure local access policies.