CVE-2000-0264 is a vulnerability identified in Panda Security version 3.0, specifically related to the software's handling of Windows registry editing restrictions. The vulnerability arises when Panda Security 3.0 is configured with registry editing disabled, a common security measure intended to prevent unauthorized changes to the Windows registry. Despite this restriction, the vulnerability allows users to bypass the limitation and edit the registry by directly executing a .reg file or employing other methods to modify registry settings. This behavior effectively undermines the intended security control, enabling privilege escalation by altering system configurations that should be protected. The vulnerability does not require authentication (Au:N) and has a low attack vector (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the system to exploit it. The impact primarily affects integrity (I:P), as unauthorized changes to the registry can lead to altered system behavior or security settings, but it does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability. The CVSS score is low (2.1), reflecting the limited scope and difficulty of exploitation. A patch addressing this vulnerability is available from Panda Security, distributed as a downloadable update package. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating limited active exploitation. However, the vulnerability remains relevant for legacy systems still running Panda Security 3.0, which is an outdated product version released over two decades ago.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2000-0264 is generally minimal in modern contexts due to the age of the affected software version and the availability of patches. However, organizations that maintain legacy systems or have not updated their endpoint security solutions may be at risk. Exploitation could allow local users to escalate privileges by modifying registry settings, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in system behavior or security configurations. This could facilitate further attacks or persistence mechanisms by malicious insiders or attackers with physical or remote local access. The vulnerability does not directly expose sensitive data or cause system outages but compromises the integrity of system configurations. European organizations with strict regulatory requirements around system integrity and auditability should ensure that such legacy vulnerabilities are remediated to maintain compliance and reduce attack surface.

1. Immediate application of the available patch from Panda Security is the primary mitigation step. The patch can be obtained from the official update links provided by the vendor. 2. Upgrade endpoint security solutions to current supported versions, as Panda Security 3.0 is obsolete and no longer receives security updates. 3. Restrict local user access to systems running vulnerable versions to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of exploitation. 4. Implement application whitelisting and restrict execution of unauthorized .reg files or scripts that could modify the registry. 5. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor unauthorized registry changes and alert administrators. 6. Conduct regular audits of system configurations and registry settings to detect unauthorized modifications. 7. Educate users about the risks of executing untrusted files and enforce least privilege principles to limit local user capabilities.