IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.0
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2025-24983|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

KB5053594: Windows Server Security Update (March 2025)

Microsoft Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Published Mar 11, 2025 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2025-04-01 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. Use after free in Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Exploitation requires local access, higher attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●Windows Administrators
●Systems Engineers
●IT Security
●Running windows 10 1507: v < 10.0.10240.20947; windows 10 1607: v < 10.0.14393.7876; windows server 2008: -, r2; windows server 2012: -, r2; windows server 2016: v < 10.0.14393.7876
Fixed inKB5053594, KB5053618, KB5053620, KB5053627, KB5053886, KB5053887, KB5053888, KB5053995 (applies to 16 product versions) — build 10.0.10240.20947, 10.0.14393.7876+
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-03-11 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2025-04-01.

How to patch

Manual download

For air-gapped servers or out-of-band deployment. Microsoft Update Catalog returns every OS-version variant of this update.

↗ Microsoft Update CatalogKB5053594

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Microsoft Security Update

Microsoft has released an official security update that fixes this vulnerability.

Required KB Updates

    1
    KB5053594 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053594
    1
    KB5053618 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053618
    1
    KB5053620 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053620
    1
    KB5053627 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053627
    1
    KB5053886 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053886
    1
    KB5053887 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053887
    1
    KB5053888 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053888
    1
    KB5053995 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053995

Supersedes: KB5052006, KB5052016, KB5052020, KB5052038, KB5052040, KB5052042

Affected Products

    1
    Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Windows 10 for x64-based Systems
    1
    Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
    1
    Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
    1
    Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
    1
    Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
    1
    Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
    1
    Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
    1
    Windows Server 2012
    1
    Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
    1
    Windows Server 2012 R2
    1
    Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
    1
    Windows Server 2016
    1
    Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)

Fixed Build Numbers

    1
    10.0.10240.20947
    1
    10.0.14393.7876
    1
    6.0.6003.23168
    1
    6.1.7601.27618
    1
    6.2.9200.25368
    1
    6.3.9600.22470

Installation Methods

Windows Update (recommended)

1
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
2
The security update is offered if your system is in scope
3
Restart when prompted — a reboot IS required to complete the install

Microsoft Update Catalog (manual download)

1
Open https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
2
Search for KB5053594
3
Download the package matching your OS architecture and Windows build
4
Run the .msu installer with administrator privileges
5
Restart when prompted

WSUS / SCCM / Intune

Approve KB5053594 for the affected products in your update management console.

Microsoft Download Center Links

    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5053594
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5053618
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5053620
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5053627
    1
    https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5053886
    1
    (…3 more)

Verification

Confirm the update is installed:

Get-HotFix | Where-Object { $_.HotFixID -in @('KB5053594','KB5053618','KB5053620','KB5053627','KB5053886','KB5053887','KB5053888','KB5053995') }

References

    1
    Microsoft Security Response Center: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2025-24983
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053594
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053618
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5053620
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-24983
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-24983

Discovery Credit

Filip Jurčacko with ESET

PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2025-24983↗ MSRC Advisory↗ NVD↗ KBKB5053594