CVE-2024-21441 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically version 10.0.17763.0. The vulnerability arises from an integer overflow or wraparound issue (CWE-190) in the Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) OLE DB provider for SQL Server. This flaw can be exploited remotely to achieve remote code execution (RCE) without requiring privileges or authentication, though user interaction is necessary. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), and no privileges required (PR:N). However, user interaction (UI:R) is needed to trigger the exploit. The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to full system compromise. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in December 2023 and published in March 2024. The root cause is an integer overflow or wraparound in the OLE DB provider component, which likely leads to memory corruption enabling code execution. This vulnerability is critical for environments still running Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release but may still be in use in some enterprise or industrial contexts.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those running legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to remotely execute code, leading to data breaches, ransomware deployment, or disruption of critical services. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems could be severely impacted. Given the network attack vector and lack of required privileges, attackers could target exposed systems through network interactions, potentially via phishing or malicious payload delivery requiring user interaction. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on legacy Windows 10 installations and SQL Server integrations are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high severity score demands urgent attention to prevent future exploitation. The impact is compounded by the fact that Windows 10 Version 1809 is no longer the latest version, so organizations not maintaining up-to-date systems are vulnerable.

European organizations should immediately identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, especially those utilizing the WDAC OLE DB provider for SQL Server. Since no patches are currently linked, organizations should monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for official updates and apply them promptly once available. In the interim, mitigate risk by restricting network exposure of vulnerable systems, implementing strict network segmentation, and employing application whitelisting to limit execution of unauthorized code. User education is critical to reduce the likelihood of successful user interaction-based exploitation; phishing awareness and cautious handling of unsolicited content can help. Additionally, organizations should consider upgrading affected systems to supported Windows versions with active security updates. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious activity related to OLE DB provider usage or unusual code execution patterns can provide early warning. Regular backups and incident response readiness will also reduce impact if exploitation occurs.