CVE-2024-38028 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified under CWE-125, found in the Windows Performance Data Helper Library component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability allows an attacker with high privileges to remotely execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw arises due to improper bounds checking when handling performance data, enabling memory access beyond allocated buffers. Exploitation does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or remote attacks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.2, reflecting network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), required privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability poses a significant threat to systems still running Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older, out-of-support version for many organizations. The vulnerability could be leveraged to gain full system control, potentially allowing attackers to deploy malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt operations. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases urgency for mitigation through alternative controls.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-38028 can be severe, particularly for those still operating legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, resulting in data breaches, operational disruption, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on legacy Windows environments are at heightened risk. The confidentiality of sensitive personal and corporate data could be compromised, violating GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Integrity and availability impacts could disrupt business continuity and critical infrastructure operations. The remote code execution capability without user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks and wormable scenarios, amplifying potential damage across interconnected networks. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but also means organizations must act swiftly to prevent future exploitation.

Given the absence of official patches at the time of reporting, European organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Upgrade affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched Windows version to eliminate the vulnerability. 2) If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, especially the internet. 3) Restrict administrative privileges and enforce the principle of least privilege to reduce the risk of high-privilege exploitation. 4) Monitor network traffic and system logs for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts, focusing on performance data helper library usage patterns. 5) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous memory access or code execution behaviors. 6) Educate IT staff about the vulnerability and ensure rapid incident response capabilities are in place. 7) Regularly review and update asset inventories to identify and track legacy Windows 10 1809 deployments for prioritized remediation.