CVE-2025-62213
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-62213 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated SYSTEM privileges. This affects Windows systems where an attacker already has local access. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation from a lower-privileged account to full system control.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microsoft Windows
📦 What is this software?
Windows 10 1607 by Microsoft
Windows 10 1607 by Microsoft
Windows 10 1809 by Microsoft
Windows 10 1809 by Microsoft
Windows 10 21h2 by Microsoft
Windows 10 22h2 by Microsoft
Windows 11 23h2 by Microsoft
Windows 11 24h2 by Microsoft
Windows 11 25h2 by Microsoft
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with SYSTEM privileges, enabling installation of persistent malware, credential theft, lateral movement, and data destruction.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install additional malware, and maintain persistence on compromised systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, least privilege principles, and endpoint protection are in place, though successful exploitation still grants SYSTEM privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local authenticated access and knowledge of driver internals. No public exploit available as of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply latest Windows security updates from Microsoft (specific KB numbers in advisory)
Vendor Advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-62213
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Apply Windows Update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. 2. For enterprise: Deploy via WSUS, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, or Microsoft Intune. 3. Verify installation via winver command showing updated build number.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user access
windowsLimit local user accounts and enforce least privilege to reduce attack surface
Enable exploit protection
windowsConfigure Windows Defender Exploit Guard to mitigate memory corruption attacks
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and limit local administrative privileges
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Windows version and compare with affected versions list. Vulnerable if running affected Windows versions without security updates.Check Version:
winverVerify Fix Applied:
Run 'winver' command and verify build number matches or exceeds patched version specified in Microsoft advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process creation with SYSTEM privileges from non-admin accounts
- Suspicious driver loading events
- Security log Event ID 4688 with elevated privileges
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND NewProcessName CONTAINS 'cmd.exe' OR 'powershell.exe' AND SubjectUserName NOT IN (admin_users) AND TokenElevationType=%%1938