CVE-2025-62455 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically version 10.0.17763.0. The flaw exists within the Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) service, a component responsible for message communication between applications. Improper validation of input data allows an attacker with authorized local access to craft malicious messages or inputs that the MSMQ service processes incorrectly. This can lead to privilege escalation, enabling the attacker to gain higher system privileges than initially granted. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, meaning an attacker with limited skills but local access can exploit it. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that successful exploitation could compromise system security comprehensively. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability is officially published and recognized by Microsoft. The lack of user interaction and the local privilege requirement suggest that insider threats or compromised local accounts are the primary risk vectors. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed Windows version used in many enterprise environments increases its potential impact.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in sectors relying on Windows 10 Version 1809, such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges locally, bypassing security controls and gaining administrative access. This can lead to unauthorized data access, system manipulation, deployment of malware, or disruption of services. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive data could be exposed or altered, and critical systems could be rendered inoperative. Since the vulnerability requires local access, organizations with weak internal access controls or insufficient endpoint protection are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once patches are released or if the vulnerability is reverse-engineered. European organizations with legacy systems or delayed patching practices face increased exposure.

1. Prioritize upgrading or patching Windows 10 Version 1809 systems as soon as Microsoft releases an official fix for CVE-2025-62455. 2. Restrict local access to systems running the affected Windows version by enforcing strict access controls and using least privilege principles. 3. Monitor and audit local user activities, especially those with elevated privileges, to detect suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous MSMQ activity or privilege escalation attempts. 5. Consider segmenting networks to limit lateral movement opportunities from compromised local accounts. 6. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching. 7. Maintain an inventory of systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to ensure comprehensive coverage of mitigation efforts. 8. Use host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to identify exploitation attempts targeting MSMQ or related components. 9. Implement multi-factor authentication for local accounts where possible to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. 10. Prepare incident response plans that include scenarios involving local privilege escalation to enable rapid containment and remediation.