CVE-2024-30006 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) affecting the Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 operating system, specifically within the Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) OLE DB provider for SQL Server. The vulnerability arises when the OLE DB provider improperly manages memory, leading to a use-after-free condition. This flaw can be exploited remotely without requiring privileges or authentication, but it does require user interaction, such as opening a malicious file or link. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the ease of remote exploitation (network vector), low attack complexity, and the absence of required privileges. The vulnerability affects Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0), an older but still in-use version of Windows 10. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no official patches have been published yet. The vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise systems running SQL Server clients or applications that utilize the WDAC OLE DB provider, potentially leading to full system compromise or lateral movement within a network.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those still operating legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems in production environments. The ability to remotely execute code without authentication means attackers could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, disrupt business operations, or deploy ransomware and other malware. Organizations relying on SQL Server databases or applications interfacing with SQL Server via the WDAC OLE DB provider are particularly at risk. The compromise of such systems could lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing that often use Windows 10 1809 in legacy systems may face operational disruptions. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits mass exploitation but targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could facilitate attacks. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation before active exploitation emerges.

1. Upgrade affected systems to a supported and fully patched version of Windows 10 or Windows 11, as Windows 10 Version 1809 is out of mainstream support and unlikely to receive timely patches. 2. Implement application whitelisting and restrict use of legacy OLE DB providers where possible, especially WDAC OLE DB provider for SQL Server. 3. Employ network segmentation to isolate legacy systems and limit exposure to untrusted networks. 4. Enhance email and web filtering to reduce the risk of malicious payload delivery requiring user interaction. 5. Conduct user awareness training focused on phishing and social engineering to mitigate the risk of user-initiated exploitation. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity related to SQL Server connections or OLE DB provider usage. 7. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing remote code execution scenarios on legacy Windows systems. 8. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, consider disabling or restricting the WDAC OLE DB provider usage through group policies or configuration changes to reduce attack surface.