CVE-2025-62217 is a race condition vulnerability classified under CWE-362, found in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock on Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 17763.0). This vulnerability arises from improper synchronization when multiple threads or processes concurrently access shared resources, leading to a timing window where an attacker can manipulate the execution flow. Specifically, the flaw allows an authorized local attacker with low privileges to exploit this race condition to elevate their privileges on the system. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker could gain SYSTEM-level privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.0, reflecting high severity due to the significant impact but mitigated by the requirement for local access and high attack complexity. No user interaction is necessary, and the scope is unchanged, meaning the exploit affects only the vulnerable component without extending beyond the local system. As of the publication date, no patches have been released, and no known exploits are detected in the wild. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments still running Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release with limited support. The flaw could be leveraged in targeted attacks or combined with other vulnerabilities to facilitate lateral movement or persistence within networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62217 is significant, especially for those relying on legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation enables local attackers to escalate privileges, potentially gaining administrative control over affected machines. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and deployment of malware or ransomware. Sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitivity of their data and the criticality of their operations. The vulnerability could facilitate insider threats or attacks originating from compromised user accounts with limited privileges. Additionally, organizations with insufficient endpoint protection or weak local access controls face higher risks. The lack of a patch increases exposure time, necessitating immediate mitigation efforts. The overall risk is amplified in environments where Windows 10 1809 remains in use due to compatibility or operational constraints.

1. Upgrade affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and fully patched Windows version, such as Windows 10 21H2 or later, to eliminate the vulnerability. 2. Until upgrades are feasible, restrict local access to systems by enforcing strict user account control policies and limiting administrative privileges. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor and block suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4. Employ process isolation and sandboxing techniques for applications interacting with network components to reduce the attack surface. 5. Regularly audit and harden local user permissions, removing unnecessary accounts and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms. 6. Monitor system logs for unusual behavior related to WinSock or network driver operations that could signal exploitation attempts. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of running unsupported Windows versions and the importance of timely patching and upgrades. 8. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing local privilege escalation scenarios to enable rapid containment if exploitation occurs.