CVE-2024-35265 is a vulnerability identified in the Windows Perception Service component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). It is classified as a CWE-367 Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition. This type of vulnerability arises when a system checks a condition (such as permissions or resource state) and then uses the resource based on that check, but the state changes between the check and use, allowing an attacker to exploit the timing gap. In this case, the flaw allows an attacker with low privileges on the local machine to elevate their privileges by exploiting the race condition in the Perception Service, which is responsible for handling sensor and perception-related data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, indicating high severity. The vector indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet, though the vulnerability was reserved in May 2024 and published in June 2024. The vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, particularly for those still operating legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems, which may be common in industrial, governmental, or specialized environments where upgrading is slower. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges from a low-privileged user to SYSTEM or equivalent, enabling them to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. This could lead to data breaches, operational downtime, or further lateral movement within networks. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but insider threats or malware that gains initial foothold with limited privileges could leverage this vulnerability. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and public administration in Europe could be particularly impacted due to their reliance on legacy Windows systems and the potential high value of data and operational continuity.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement several specific mitigations: 1) Restrict and monitor local access to systems running Windows 10 Version 1809, especially limiting low-privileged user accounts and enforcing strict access controls. 2) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious behavior related to the Perception Service. 3) Isolate legacy systems from critical network segments to reduce the risk of lateral movement. 4) Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once Microsoft releases them by maintaining an up-to-date inventory of affected systems. 5) Consider upgrading affected systems to newer, supported Windows versions where feasible to eliminate exposure. 6) Conduct user awareness and insider threat training to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 7) Monitor security advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to this CVE.