CVE-2025-50174: 
vulnerability analysis and mitigation

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the Windows Device Association Broker service, identified as CVE-2025-50174. The vulnerability was discovered and disclosed on October 14, 2025, affecting multiple versions of Windows including Windows 11 Version 24H2, Windows 11 Version 25H2, and Windows Server 2025. This security flaw has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.0 (High) (NVD, AttackerKB).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free) and requires local access with low privileges to exploit. The CVSS vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating local attack vector, high attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction needed, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (NVD).

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally on the affected system. This could potentially lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker could gain elevated system privileges (NVD).

Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Affected systems should be updated to the following versions: Windows 11 Version 24H2 to version 10.0.26100.6899 or later, Windows 11 Version 25H2 to version 10.0.26200.6899 or later, and Windows Server 2025 to version 10.0.26100.6899 or later (NVD).