CVE-2024-30093 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-59, which relates to improper link resolution before file access, commonly known as 'link following'. This flaw arises when the Windows Storage component incorrectly resolves symbolic links or junction points before accessing files, allowing an attacker with limited privileges to manipulate file system links to gain unauthorized access or escalate privileges. Specifically, an attacker with low-level permissions (local access with limited privileges) can exploit this vulnerability by tricking the system into following a malicious link that points to sensitive files or directories. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure, modification, or deletion of critical system files, thereby compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3 (high), reflecting the vulnerability's significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the requirement for low privileges and user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a credible threat, especially in environments where Windows 10 Version 1809 remains in use. The absence of published patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly in sectors relying on legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems such as manufacturing, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Exploitation could allow attackers to elevate privileges from a limited user account to SYSTEM-level access, enabling full control over affected machines. This could facilitate lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, deployment of ransomware, or disruption of critical services. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity compromises could undermine trust in operational technology and business-critical applications. Availability impacts could disrupt essential services, causing operational downtime and financial losses. Given the widespread use of Windows 10 in European enterprises and public sector organizations, the vulnerability's exploitation could have cascading effects across multiple industries and national infrastructures.

Beyond applying official patches once available, European organizations should implement targeted mitigations: 1) Conduct an inventory to identify all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 and prioritize their upgrade to supported, patched Windows versions. 2) Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface, especially limiting the ability to create or manipulate symbolic links and junction points. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious link-following behaviors or privilege escalation attempts. 4) Monitor file system activities and audit logs for anomalous access patterns involving symbolic links or critical system files. 5) Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted files or links, as user interaction is required for exploitation. 6) Implement network segmentation to contain potential lateral movement from compromised endpoints. 7) Maintain up-to-date backups and test restoration procedures to mitigate impact from potential attacks leveraging this vulnerability.