CVE-2024-30065 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-59, which relates to improper link resolution before file access, commonly known as 'link following'. This specific issue affects Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The vulnerability arises when the Windows Themes component improperly handles symbolic links or junction points before accessing files, allowing an attacker with local privileges to manipulate the file system links. This manipulation can lead to a denial of service condition by causing the system or the themes service to crash or become unstable. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low complexity (AC:L), and privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to availability (A:H), with no confidentiality or integrity effects. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2024 and published in June 2024. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the issue is recognized by Microsoft and CISA. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious insiders or malware with local access to disrupt system availability, potentially affecting services relying on Windows Themes or related components.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-30065 is the potential for denial of service on systems running Windows 10 Version 1809. This could disrupt user productivity, especially in environments where Windows Themes are actively used or where system stability is critical. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, availability disruptions can affect operational continuity, particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government services. Organizations using legacy Windows 10 versions without updated patches are more vulnerable. The requirement for local privileges limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or malware with local execution capabilities could exploit this vulnerability. Given that Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release, some organizations may still rely on it due to application compatibility or delayed upgrade cycles, increasing their risk exposure.

European organizations should first inventory and identify all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to assess exposure. Since no official patches are currently linked, organizations should apply general best practices such as restricting local user privileges to the minimum necessary, monitoring for unusual local activity, and employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect attempts to exploit link resolution vulnerabilities. Administrators should consider disabling or limiting the use of Windows Themes if feasible, or apply group policies to restrict theme changes. Upgrading affected systems to a more recent, supported Windows version with active security updates is strongly recommended to mitigate this and other vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should monitor Microsoft security advisories for patches and apply them promptly once available. Regular backups and system recovery plans should be tested to minimize downtime in case of denial of service incidents.