CVE-2025-62215: Windows 10 1809 Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-62215 Overview

CVE-2025-62215 is a race condition vulnerability in the Windows Kernel that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. This vulnerability stems from concurrent execution using a shared resource with improper synchronization (CWE-362), enabling attackers with low-privilege access to exploit timing windows and gain elevated system privileges on affected Windows systems.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately as local privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows 10 1809 (x86 and x64)
• Microsoft Windows 10 21H2
• Microsoft Windows 10 22H2
• Microsoft Windows 11 23H2
• Microsoft Windows 11 24H2
• Microsoft Windows 11 25H2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2019
• Microsoft Windows Server 2022
• Microsoft Windows Server 2022 23H2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2025

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-11-11 - CVE-2025-62215 published to NVD
• 2025-11-14 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-62215

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists within the Windows Kernel where concurrent execution paths access shared resources without proper synchronization mechanisms. The race condition occurs when multiple threads or processes attempt to access or modify kernel memory structures simultaneously, creating a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) window that can be exploited by an attacker with local access to the system.

The improper synchronization allows an attacker to manipulate the state of shared kernel objects between the time a security check is performed and the time the resource is actually used. This timing vulnerability can be leveraged to bypass security controls and execute code with elevated SYSTEM privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause is a race condition (CWE-362) in the Windows Kernel where concurrent execution using shared resources lacks proper synchronization primitives. When multiple threads access kernel memory without adequate locking mechanisms, a malicious actor can exploit the timing gap to corrupt memory state or bypass privilege checks. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges to exploit, but the impact includes potential compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the target system with low-privilege credentials. An attacker must execute a specially crafted application that triggers the race condition by manipulating thread timing to exploit the synchronization gap in kernel operations. While the attack complexity is high due to the precise timing requirements of race condition exploitation, successful exploitation results in privilege escalation to SYSTEM level.

The attacker typically creates multiple competing threads that interact with the vulnerable kernel component, carefully timing operations to win the race and corrupt kernel state in a controlled manner. This can lead to arbitrary code execution in kernel mode.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62215

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual process creation patterns with SYSTEM privileges from low-privileged parent processes
• Suspicious multi-threaded applications performing rapid kernel object manipulation
• Kernel crash dumps (BSOD) indicating race condition failures during exploitation attempts
• Evidence of privilege escalation in Windows Security Event logs (Event IDs 4672, 4624)

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for suspicious process privilege escalation using endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions
• Implement kernel integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to kernel structures
• Deploy behavioral analysis to identify applications exhibiting race condition exploitation patterns
• Review Security Event logs for anomalous token privilege assignments

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed Windows Security Auditing for privilege use and process creation events
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate low-privilege process spawning high-privilege child processes
• Monitor for kernel exception events that may indicate failed exploitation attempts
• Implement SentinelOne Singularity platform for real-time kernel-level threat detection

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62215

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply Microsoft security updates immediately as this vulnerability is actively exploited
• Prioritize patching systems with direct user access or those exposed to untrusted local users
• Review and restrict local user access to minimize the attack surface
• Enable enhanced monitoring on critical systems until patches are deployed

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates to address CVE-2025-62215. Organizations should consult the Microsoft Security Response Center Advisory for specific patch details and update guidance for affected Windows versions. Given the CISA KEV listing, federal agencies are required to apply patches within mandated timeframes.

Workarounds

• Restrict local user access to sensitive systems where possible until patches can be applied
• Implement application control policies to prevent execution of unauthorized applications
• Enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard with Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules
• Consider isolating critical systems from networks with untrusted local users

Organizations should apply official patches as the primary mitigation, as workarounds may not fully prevent exploitation of this kernel-level vulnerability.