CVE-2025-62573 Overview
CVE-2025-62573 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows DirectX graphics subsystem. An authorized local attacker can exploit the flaw to elevate privileges on affected Windows client and server operating systems. Microsoft published the advisory on December 9, 2025, and the issue is tracked under [CWE-416] (Use After Free) and [CWE-362] (concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization).
The vulnerability requires local access, low privileges, and a race condition to succeed. Successful exploitation yields high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, enabling attackers to run code in a higher-privileged context.
Critical Impact
A local attacker with standard user rights can elevate to SYSTEM by winning a race condition in the DirectX kernel-mode component, gaining full control of the affected host.
Affected Products
- Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
- Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 23H2, 24H2, 25H2)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2, and 2025
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-12-09 - CVE-2025-62573 published to NVD and Microsoft Security Update Guide
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-62573
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in the Windows DirectX graphics subsystem, which exposes kernel-mode interfaces to user-mode applications through the DirectX Graphics Kernel driver (dxgkrnl.sys). Because DirectX handlers execute in kernel context, memory-safety issues within them translate directly into privilege escalation opportunities.
According to Microsoft, the vulnerability is a use-after-free condition combined with a race window between concurrent operations. An object is freed on one thread while another thread continues to hold and dereference a stale pointer to it. When the attacker sprays or reclaims the freed allocation with controlled data, the subsequent dereference redirects kernel execution flow.
Successful exploitation requires local access and a valid user session. The high attack complexity reflects the timing precision needed to win the race consistently.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper synchronization in the DirectX object lifecycle. Reference-counting or lock handling around a shared kernel object is insufficient, allowing one thread to release the object while another retains a reference. This creates a dangling pointer that can be reclaimed by attacker-controlled memory.
Attack Vector
An authenticated local user runs a crafted program that opens a DirectX device handle and issues concurrent IOCTL requests to trigger the race. Once the freed object is replaced, the attacker corrupts kernel structures to hijack execution and elevate to SYSTEM. The vulnerability manifests inside kernel-mode DirectX components; refer to the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2025-62573 for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62573
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected user-mode processes opening handles to \\.\GraphicsKernel or issuing large volumes of graphics-related IOCTLs
- Kernel bugchecks referencing dxgkrnl.sys or dxgmms2.sys following user process activity
- New SYSTEM-level processes spawned by non-privileged parent processes shortly after DirectX API usage
Detection Strategies
- Baseline typical DirectX API usage per host and alert on non-graphical processes making sustained calls into the graphics kernel interface
- Correlate WER (Windows Error Reporting) crashes involving dxgkrnl with subsequent process-token changes on the same host
- Hunt for parent-child process chains where standard users spawn cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or LOLBins with SYSTEM integrity level
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Sysmon Event ID 1 (process creation) and Event ID 10 (process access) to capture privilege transitions
- Forward Windows kernel crash dumps to a central location for triage and pattern detection
- Monitor for driver load anomalies and unsigned code attempting to interact with the graphics stack
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62573
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the December 2025 Microsoft security updates for all affected Windows client and server versions without delay
- Inventory endpoints and servers against the affected CPE list and prioritize systems where untrusted users can log on locally
- Restrict interactive and remote desktop access to trusted administrators until patches are deployed
Patch Information
Microsoft has released cumulative security updates addressing CVE-2025-62573 across all supported Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server branches. Deployment guidance and KB article references are available in the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2025-62573. Apply through Windows Update, WSUS, Microsoft Update Catalog, or your preferred patch management platform.
Workarounds
- No official workaround exists; Microsoft recommends installing the security update
- Reduce exposure by enforcing least-privilege access and removing standard users from systems handling sensitive workloads
- Apply application control (WDAC or AppLocker) to block unauthorized binaries from launching and interacting with kernel graphics interfaces
# Verify patch installation status on Windows hosts
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object -Property InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 10
# List installed updates matching the December 2025 servicing window
wmic qfe list brief /format:table
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
