CVE-2023-36024 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability identified in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) version 1.0.0. This vulnerability allows an attacker with no prior privileges and requiring only user interaction to escalate their privileges within the browser environment. The flaw is categorized under CWE-269, which relates to improper privilege management. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as it enables an attacker to gain higher privileges that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of browser state, or disruption of browser functionality. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The exploitability is currently unknown (E:U), and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2023 and published in November 2023. No patches are currently linked, suggesting that mitigation relies on forthcoming updates and interim security controls. The vulnerability poses a significant risk to users of the affected Edge version, especially in environments where browser security is critical.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk due to the widespread use of Microsoft Edge in enterprise environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to elevate privileges within the browser, potentially leading to unauthorized access to corporate data, manipulation of web sessions, or deployment of further malware. This could compromise confidentiality of sensitive information, integrity of web transactions, and availability of browser services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable due to the high value of their data and services. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be vectors for exploitation, increasing the risk in environments with less user security awareness. The lack of current exploits provides a window for mitigation, but the high severity and scope change indicate that once exploited, the impact could be widespread and severe.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately inventory and identify all systems running the affected Microsoft Edge version 1.0.0 and prepare for prompt patch deployment once Microsoft releases an official fix. 2) Enforce strict browser security policies, including disabling or restricting the use of potentially vulnerable browser features and extensions. 3) Increase user awareness training focusing on phishing and social engineering tactics to reduce the likelihood of user interaction exploitation. 4) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual privilege escalation behaviors within browsers. 5) Use application control policies to limit execution of unauthorized code within the browser context. 6) Consider deploying browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploit impacts. 7) Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving browser privilege escalation. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive detection, user behavior, and containment strategies tailored to this vulnerability.