CVE-2024-29056 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows Server 2019, specifically version 10.0.17763.0. The issue is categorized under CWE-327, which pertains to the use of broken or risky cryptographic algorithms. This vulnerability manifests as an elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows authentication mechanism. Essentially, the cryptographic algorithm employed in the authentication process is considered weak or compromised, potentially allowing an attacker with some level of existing privileges (low-level privileges) to escalate their access rights on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges required are low (PR:L), with no user interaction needed (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigations have been linked yet. The vulnerability was published on April 9, 2024, and was reserved on March 14, 2024. The risk arises from the reliance on a cryptographic algorithm that is either broken or risky, which undermines the security guarantees of the authentication process, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain elevated privileges on Windows Server 2019 systems. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or administrative functions within enterprise environments running this server version.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-29056 can be significant, especially for those relying on Windows Server 2019 for critical infrastructure, identity management, and authentication services. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could escalate privileges from a low-level user account to higher administrative levels, potentially gaining control over domain controllers, file servers, or other critical systems. This could lead to unauthorized data access, lateral movement within networks, and disruption of business operations. Given that the vulnerability affects confidentiality but not integrity or availability, the primary risk is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure in Europe, which often use Windows Server environments, could face increased risks of data breaches or espionage. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest that immediate widespread exploitation is unlikely but should not be discounted. Organizations with less mature patch management or those running legacy systems may be more vulnerable. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a multi-stage attack chain, increasing its potential impact.

1. Immediate assessment of Windows Server 2019 deployments to identify systems running the affected version (10.0.17763.0). 2. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for the release of official patches or mitigations addressing CVE-2024-29056. 3. Implement network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure of Windows Server 2019 systems to untrusted networks and users. 4. Enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the number of users with low-level privileges that could be leveraged for escalation. 5. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative and sensitive accounts to reduce the risk of compromised credentials being exploited. 6. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual privilege escalation activities or anomalous authentication events. 7. Review and update cryptographic policies and configurations to ensure stronger algorithms are in use where possible, and disable legacy or weak cryptographic protocols. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on privilege escalation vectors within Windows Server environments. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential privilege escalation attacks to enable rapid containment and remediation.