CVE-2025-62569 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416, found in the Microsoft Brokering File System component of Windows Server 2025, specifically in the Server Core installation variant. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. In this case, an authorized attacker with low privileges on the local system can exploit the flaw to elevate their privileges, gaining higher-level access to the system. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0, indicating high severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access, high complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level. The vulnerability was reserved in mid-October 2025 and published in early December 2025. No public exploits or patches are currently available, which suggests organizations should be vigilant and prepare for remediation. The Server Core installation is a minimal installation option for Windows Server that reduces the attack surface but is still widely used in enterprise environments. The Brokering File System component is critical for file operations and inter-process communication, making this vulnerability particularly impactful if exploited.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and critical infrastructure relying on Windows Server 2025 Server Core installations. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with limited local access to escalate privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and the ability to deploy further attacks within the network. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and industrial control systems could face severe operational and reputational damage. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or attackers gaining initial footholds via other means could leverage this vulnerability to deepen their control. The lack of current patches increases the urgency for proactive mitigation and monitoring.

1. Enforce strict local access controls and limit administrative privileges to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 2. Implement robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious activity related to the Brokering File System. 3. Use application whitelisting and restrict execution of unauthorized code on servers running Windows Server 2025. 4. Harden server configurations by disabling unnecessary services and features to minimize attack surface. 5. Prepare for rapid deployment of security updates by establishing a patch management process that can quickly address this vulnerability once Microsoft releases a patch. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on privilege escalation vectors. 7. Educate system administrators and security teams about this vulnerability and the importance of monitoring local access and privilege changes. 8. Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if an attacker gains local access to a server.