CVE-2024-49071 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-612, which pertains to improper authorization of an index containing sensitive information within Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for Windows. Specifically, this flaw arises from an improperly authorized index related to the Global Files search feature in Windows Defender. An authorized attacker with legitimate access privileges can exploit this vulnerability to disclose sensitive information over a network. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), but does require some level of privileges (PR:L). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, and no patches have been linked at the time of this report. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2024 and published in December 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The flaw could allow attackers to access sensitive indexed data that should otherwise be protected, potentially exposing confidential organizational information through network disclosure. This could lead to information leakage that might aid further attacks or compromise privacy and compliance requirements.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-49071 can be significant, especially for entities relying heavily on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint as part of their cybersecurity infrastructure. The exposure of sensitive indexed information could lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential data, including intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, or internal operational details. This information leakage could undermine trust, lead to regulatory penalties, and facilitate subsequent targeted attacks such as phishing or lateral movement within networks. Organizations in sectors with high data sensitivity—such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure—are particularly at risk. Since the vulnerability requires some level of authorization, insider threats or compromised accounts could exploit this flaw to exfiltrate data. The network-based nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access, increasing the attack surface. However, the absence of integrity or availability impact limits the threat to confidentiality breaches without direct disruption of services or data manipulation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-49071, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Apply security updates promptly once Microsoft releases a patch addressing this vulnerability, as no patch is currently linked. 2) Restrict and monitor privileged access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and related Global Files search features to minimize the risk of authorized attackers exploiting the flaw. 3) Employ network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure of sensitive indexed data over the network. 4) Conduct regular audits of user permissions and access logs to detect unusual or unauthorized access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Enhance monitoring and alerting on Defender for Endpoint activities, focusing on network data disclosures and index access events. 6) Consider disabling or restricting the Global Files search feature if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface. 7) Educate security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response capability once exploit attempts are detected or patches are available. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling access to the vulnerable component, monitoring for exploitation signs, and preparing for patch deployment.