Summary
CVE202562215 is a highseverity Windows Kernel racecondition flaw that lets lowprivileged users gain SYSTEM access. Actively exploited and affecting Windows 10, 11, Server, and 10 ESU, it was patched in November 2025. Quick updates and strict leastprivilege controls are critical.
Urgent Actions Required
- Apply Microsoft’s November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates immediately on all affected Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems, including devices using Windows 10 ESU.
- Follow Microsoft’s mitigation guidance as noted in the CISA KEV catalog
- Patch systems exposed to multiple users or the internet first
- Use least-privilege access to reduce risk
- Watch endpoints for unusual privilege escalation
Which Systems Are Vulnerable to CVE-2025-62215?
Technical Overview
- Vulnerability Type: Privilege Escalation in the Windows Kernel caused by a race condition leading to memory corruption.
- Affected Software/Versions:
- Windows 10 1809
- X64 versions before 10.0.17763.8027
- X86 versions before 10.0.17763.8027
- Windows 10 21H2
- Versions before 10.0.19044.6575
- Windows 10 22H2
- Versions before 10.0.19045.6575
- Windows 11 23H2
- Versions before 10.0.22631.6199
- Windows 11 24H2
- Versions before 10.0.26100.7092
- Windows 11 25H2
- Versions before 10.0.26200.7092
- Windows Server 2019
- Versions before 10.0.17763.8027
- Windows Server 2022 23H2
- Versions before 10.0.25398.1965
- Windows Server 2022
- Versions before 10.0.20348.4346
- Windows Server 2025
- Versions before 10.0.26100.7092
- Windows 10 1809
- Attack Vector: Local
- CVSS Score: 7.0
- CVSS Vector: v3.1
- Attack Vector: Local
- Attack Complexity: High
- Privileges Required: Low
- User Interaction: None
- Scope: Unchanged
- Confidentiality Impact: High
- Integrity Impact: High
- Availability Impact: High
- Patch Availability: Yes, available
How Does the CVE-2025-62215 Exploit Work?
The attack typically follows these steps:
What Causes CVE-2025-62215?
Vulnerability Root Cause:
A Windows Kernel race issue brought on by unsynchronized access to shared resources is the root cause of CVE-2025-62215. A low-privileged local user may be able to escalate to SYSTEM due to this timing flaw, which can destroy memory, including double free scenarios.
How Can You Mitigate CVE-2025-62215?
If immediate patching is delayed or not possible:
- Apply Microsoft’s mitigation guidance referenced in the CISA KEV catalog.
- Apply strict least-privilege controls to reduce risk.
- Watch for unusual privilege-escalation activity.
Which Assets and Systems Are at Risk?
Business-Critical Systems at Risk:
- Any Windows environment where users operate with low privileges but can interact locally with the OS
- Systems where unauthorized privilege escalation could grant full administrative control
- Servers hosting sensitive data or critical workloads that rely on kernel-level security boundaries
Exposure Level:
- Systems not yet updated with the November 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes
- Multi-user machines where low-privileged accounts exist
- Environments where an attacker can gain initial local access before exploiting the race condition
Where Can I Find More Information on CVE-2025-62215?
CVSS Breakdown Table
| Metric | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.0 | High-severity vulnerability indicating significant impact and exploitability |
| Attack Vector | Local | Exploitation requires local system access |
| Attack Complexity | High | The attack needs specific conditions or steps, making exploitation harder |
| Privileges Required | Low | The attacker needs only limited permissions to attempt exploitation |
| User Interaction | None | No user involvement is required for the attack to work |
| Scope | UnChanged | Impact stays within the vulnerable component and does not extend to other systems |
| Confidentiality Impact | High | Successful exploitation can heavily expose sensitive information |
| Integrity Impact | High | Data or system integrity can be significantly compromised |
| Availability Impact | High | Exploit can seriously disrupt system availability |
