CVE Alert: CVE-2025-59507 – Microsoft – Windows 10 Version 1809

Risk verdict

High risk of local privilege escalation on affected Windows builds; patch is available through standard update channels, but exploitation requires local access and no user interaction. There is no explicit KEV or SSVC exploitation state indicated in the data.

Why this matters

A successful elevation to higher privileges enables attacker-controlled code execution, potential persistence, and lateral movement within the host or network. Given multiple Windows editions and versions are affected, the enterprise attack surface broadens for endpoints where Speech Runtime is present or invoked by user processes.

Most likely attack path

Attacker with normal user privileges runs code that triggers Windows Speech Runtime paths; a race condition in shared resources allows elevation to higher privileges. The exploit relies on local access (AV/L), with no user interaction required (UI: none) and a restricted precondition (PR: low). Scope remains unchanged, enabling escalation within the compromised host’s resources.

Who is most exposed

End-user desktops, laptops, and servers with Windows Speech Runtime installed across enterprise environments are most at risk, especially where telephony or voice-enabled features are enabled and accessed by regular users.

Detection ideas

• Monitor for unexpected process activity around Windows Speech Runtime components.
• Look for privilege-escalation attempts originating from non-admin accounts.
• Detect anomalous concurrency or timing patterns involving speech-related APIs.
• Alert on unusual access to speech engine binaries or libraries.
• Correlate spikes in local privilege changes with related logon events.

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Apply the official patch via Windows Update/WSUS; verify all affected builds are updated.
• Enforce least privilege and robust UAC; consider disabling Speech Runtime features if not required.
• Use application whitelisting and EDR coverage to detect exploitation attempts.
• Schedule patching in a controlled change window with testing; validate compatibility.
• If KEV is true or EPSS ≥ 0.5, treat as priority 1; otherwise treat as priority 2.