CVE-2025-62562 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 affecting Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, specifically version 16.0.0. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management in the integration between Microsoft Office Outlook and SharePoint, where a freed memory object is accessed again, leading to undefined behavior. This flaw can be exploited by an unauthorized attacker with local access to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but some user interaction (UI:R). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all high). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects only the vulnerable component. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability is rated with a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2025 and published in December 2025, with no patches currently available. The lack of remote exploitation capability limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where local access is possible or where phishing or social engineering could induce user interaction. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations relying on SharePoint 2016 for document management and collaboration, as successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise or data breaches.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62562 could be substantial, especially in sectors heavily reliant on Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 for collaboration and document management, such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, allowing attackers to escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt services, or implant persistent malware. Given the local attack vector, insider threats or compromised endpoints could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means that data breaches, operational disruptions, and reputational damage are plausible outcomes. Additionally, organizations with strict regulatory requirements under GDPR must consider the compliance implications of such a vulnerability being exploited. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the lack of an available patch increases risk until remediation is released.

1. Implement strict local access controls to limit who can log into systems running SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, reducing the risk of local exploitation. 2. Enforce multi-factor authentication and strong endpoint security to prevent unauthorized local access. 3. Educate users about phishing and social engineering tactics that could lead to the required user interaction for exploitation. 4. Monitor system logs and endpoint behavior for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process executions or memory anomalies. 5. Isolate critical SharePoint servers in segmented network zones with limited user access. 6. Prepare for rapid deployment of official patches once released by Microsoft, including testing in staging environments to ensure compatibility. 7. Consider upgrading to newer SharePoint versions or alternative collaboration platforms with active support and security updates. 8. Use application whitelisting and exploit mitigation technologies like Control Flow Guard (CFG) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) to reduce exploitation success. 9. Regularly back up SharePoint data and configurations to enable recovery in case of compromise. 10. Coordinate with cybersecurity incident response teams to develop and rehearse response plans specific to this vulnerability.