CVE-2023-36562 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) identified in the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser, specifically affecting version 1.0.0. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. In this case, the flaw allows an attacker to elevate their privileges on the affected system by exploiting improper memory management within the browser. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication but does require user interaction, such as visiting a malicious website or opening a crafted file. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects a high severity due to the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction, and the potential for a complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed but no known exploits have been observed in the wild yet. Microsoft has not yet published a patch link, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in progress. The vulnerability's scope is significant because Microsoft Edge is widely used in enterprise and consumer environments, and elevation of privilege can lead to full system compromise or lateral movement within networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-36562 could be substantial. Since Microsoft Edge is a commonly used browser across enterprises and public sector organizations in Europe, exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges on user machines, bypassing security controls. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of services. The elevation of privilege can facilitate further attacks such as lateral movement within corporate networks or deployment of ransomware. Critical sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and energy, which rely heavily on secure browsing environments, could face increased risk. The vulnerability's exploitation could undermine data confidentiality and integrity, potentially violating GDPR and other regulatory requirements. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score necessitates urgent attention.

Organizations should prioritize deploying security updates from Microsoft as soon as they become available to address CVE-2023-36562. Until patches are released, applying the following mitigations can reduce risk: restrict user privileges to prevent unnecessary elevation; configure Microsoft Edge with enhanced security settings such as disabling unnecessary extensions and enabling site isolation features; employ application control solutions to limit execution of untrusted code; utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for suspicious browser behaviors; enforce network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a compromise occurs; educate users to avoid interacting with untrusted websites or links; and consider using browser sandboxing or virtualization technologies to contain potential exploitation. Regularly auditing browser versions and configurations across the organization will help ensure vulnerable versions are identified and remediated promptly.