CVE-2024-26217 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically affecting the Remote Access Connection Manager component. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125, which corresponds to an out-of-bounds read flaw. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program reads data outside the bounds of allocated memory, potentially leading to information disclosure. In this case, the flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges (requires local access and low privileges) to read sensitive information from memory that should otherwise be inaccessible. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and does not impact system integrity or availability, but it can compromise confidentiality by exposing sensitive data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), and requires privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in February 2024 and published in April 2024. The affected Windows 10 Version 1809 build is 10.0.17763.0, which is an older version of Windows 10, no longer the latest but still in use in some environments. The flaw resides in a core networking component responsible for managing remote access connections, which is critical for VPNs and other remote connectivity solutions. Exploitation could allow an attacker to extract sensitive information from memory, potentially including credentials or other security-related data, which could be leveraged for further attacks or privilege escalation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-26217 is primarily related to confidentiality breaches. Organizations that still operate Windows 10 Version 1809, particularly in sectors relying on remote access technologies such as VPNs, teleworking infrastructure, or remote management tools, are at risk of sensitive information disclosure. This could include credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive configuration data. While the vulnerability does not directly allow system compromise or denial of service, the leaked information could facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation in targeted attacks. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often maintain legacy systems or have strict remote access requirements, may be more vulnerable. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the presence of a publicly known vulnerability without a patch increases the window for potential attackers to develop exploits. The medium severity indicates a moderate risk, but the impact could be significant if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics. Organizations with strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR in Europe, must consider the reputational and compliance risks associated with potential data leaks.

1. Upgrade and Patch: The most effective mitigation is to upgrade affected systems to a more recent, supported version of Windows 10 or Windows 11 where this vulnerability is not present. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for patches or workarounds. 2. Restrict Local Access: Since exploitation requires local access with low privileges, restrict physical and logical access to affected systems. Implement strict access controls, limit user privileges, and enforce the principle of least privilege. 3. Network Segmentation: Isolate systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, especially those providing remote access services, within segmented network zones to reduce the risk of lateral movement. 4. Monitor and Audit: Enable detailed logging and monitoring of remote access connection manager activities and local user actions to detect unusual behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Credential Hygiene: Enforce strong credential policies and consider multi-factor authentication for remote access to reduce the impact of potential credential disclosure. 6. Incident Response Preparedness: Prepare incident response plans that include steps for handling information disclosure incidents and potential follow-on attacks leveraging leaked data. 7. Disable Unnecessary Services: Where possible, disable or limit the use of the Remote Access Connection Manager service if it is not required for business operations to reduce the attack surface.