CVE-2024-30090 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw exists within the Microsoft Streaming Service, where improper handling of pointers can lead to dereferencing untrusted memory locations. This can be exploited by an attacker with low privileges and local access to the system to elevate their privileges to higher levels, potentially SYSTEM or administrative rights. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.0 (high), reflecting the requirement for local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and unchanged scope (S:U). No public exploits or patches are currently available, increasing the risk for systems that remain unpatched or unsupported. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2024 and published in June 2024, indicating recent discovery. The lack of user interaction and the ability to escalate privileges make this a significant threat in environments where Windows 10 Version 1809 is still in use, especially given that this version is out of mainstream support, limiting patch availability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-30090 is substantial, particularly for those still operating legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, disrupt services, or deploy further malware. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and industrial control systems could face severe operational and reputational damage. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but raises concerns about insider threats or attackers gaining initial footholds via phishing or physical access. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but also means organizations may be unprepared if exploitation attempts emerge. The vulnerability’s presence in an outdated OS version complicates mitigation, as many organizations may have delayed upgrades due to compatibility or operational constraints, increasing exposure.

1. Upgrade affected systems to a supported and fully patched version of Windows, preferably Windows 10 versions later than 1809 or Windows 11, to eliminate the vulnerability. 2. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict local access controls by limiting user accounts with local login privileges and enforcing least privilege principles. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4. Harden systems by disabling unnecessary services, including the Microsoft Streaming Service if not required, to reduce the attack surface. 5. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and local access logs to detect anomalous behavior. 6. Educate staff on physical security and insider threat risks to minimize the chance of local exploitation. 7. Monitor threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit code or proof-of-concept releases related to CVE-2024-30090 to respond promptly. 8. Consider network segmentation to isolate legacy systems and limit lateral movement in case of compromise.