CVE-2024-37985 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-1037, which pertains to processor optimization removal or modification of security-critical code. This issue affects the Windows kernel in Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2 (build 10.0.22621.0). The vulnerability arises because certain processor optimizations inadvertently remove or alter security-critical code paths within the kernel, leading to an information disclosure flaw. Specifically, this can allow a local attacker to read sensitive kernel memory contents that should otherwise be protected, thereby compromising confidentiality. The vulnerability does not allow modification of data or disruption of system availability, but the exposure of sensitive information could facilitate further attacks or privilege escalation. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack requires local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The vulnerability is currently not known to be exploited in the wild, and no patches have been released yet. However, given the critical nature of kernel memory confidentiality, this vulnerability is significant for environments where local access cannot be fully controlled. The issue was reserved in June 2024 and published in September 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality of sensitive information stored in kernel memory. Attackers with local access could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, credentials, or other protected information, potentially enabling further attacks like privilege escalation or lateral movement. Sectors with high-value targets such as finance, government, critical infrastructure, and healthcare are particularly at risk. The requirement for local access and high attack complexity somewhat limits the threat to insider threats or attackers who have already compromised a system to some extent. However, in environments with shared workstations, remote desktop services, or weak endpoint security, the risk increases. The vulnerability does not impact system integrity or availability directly, so it is less likely to cause immediate operational disruption but can facilitate stealthy data breaches. Organizations relying heavily on Windows 11 22H2 should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and incident response planning.

Since no patches are currently available, European organizations should implement strict local access controls to limit who can log into affected Windows 11 22H2 systems. This includes enforcing strong authentication, limiting administrative privileges, and using endpoint protection solutions that monitor for suspicious local activity. Network segmentation can reduce the risk of lateral movement if an attacker gains local access. Organizations should also monitor for unusual access patterns or attempts to read kernel memory. Once Microsoft releases a security update, immediate deployment is critical. Additionally, applying application whitelisting and restricting the execution of untrusted code can reduce the likelihood of exploitation. Regularly auditing and hardening Windows configurations, disabling unnecessary local accounts, and educating users about insider threat risks will further mitigate exposure. For high-security environments, consider using hardware-based security features such as TPM and virtualization-based security to protect kernel memory.