CVE-2024-30049 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting the Win32 Kernel Subsystem in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The underlying issue is a Use After Free (CWE-416) flaw, which occurs when the system improperly manages memory by accessing memory after it has been freed. This can lead to memory corruption, allowing an attacker with limited privileges (low-level privileges) to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges and does not require user interaction, making it a potent vector for privilege escalation. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with the attack vector being local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects the same security scope. Exploitation could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, thereby fully compromising the affected system. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, though the vulnerability was published on May 14, 2024. This vulnerability specifically targets Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older version of Windows 10, but still in use in some enterprise environments. The kernel subsystem is critical for OS stability and security, so exploitation could lead to system crashes, data corruption, or full system compromise.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those still running legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, and deploy further malware or ransomware. This is particularly concerning for sectors with high-value data such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. The elevation of privilege can facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. Given the local attack vector, insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds via other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of automated exploitation in compromised environments. The vulnerability could disrupt business operations due to system instability or forced downtime for remediation. Organizations relying on legacy systems without current support or patching may face compliance risks under European data protection regulations such as GDPR if breaches occur.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on upgrading affected systems to a supported and patched Windows version, as Windows 10 Version 1809 is nearing or past end-of-support in many environments. 2. Apply any available security updates from Microsoft as soon as they are released; monitor official Microsoft security advisories for patches related to CVE-2024-30049. 3. Implement strict access controls and limit local administrative privileges to reduce the risk of exploitation by low-privilege users. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous kernel-level activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct thorough audits of systems still running Windows 10 Version 1809 and prioritize their upgrade or isolation. 6. Use virtualization-based security features (e.g., Credential Guard, Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity) where available to harden the kernel against exploitation. 7. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and enforce least privilege principles. 8. For environments where immediate upgrade is not feasible, consider deploying host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) with rules targeting known exploitation techniques of use-after-free vulnerabilities in kernel components.