CVE-2024-49095 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-591, which pertains to sensitive data storage in improperly locked memory. Specifically, it involves the Windows PrintWorkflowUserSvc service, a component related to the Windows printing subsystem. The flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges (low-level privileges) to potentially elevate their privileges to higher levels by exploiting improper memory locking mechanisms that handle sensitive data. This improper locking could lead to sensitive information being exposed or manipulated in memory, enabling privilege escalation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.0, indicating a high severity, with the vector string AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C. This means 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 at a high level (C:H/I:H/A:H). The scope is unchanged (S:U). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2024 and published in December 2024. The flaw could be exploited by a local attacker to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive data handled by the printing service. Given the nature of the Windows PrintWorkflowUserSvc, this vulnerability could be leveraged in environments where local user accounts have limited privileges but access to the printing subsystem, such as shared workstations or enterprise environments with print servers.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in sectors relying heavily on Windows 10 Version 1809 systems, such as government agencies, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure. An attacker exploiting this flaw could escalate privileges from a low-privilege user to higher system privileges, potentially gaining control over affected machines. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of printing services, or broader system compromise. Since printing services are often integrated into enterprise workflows, exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within networks. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that data breaches, service interruptions, and unauthorized modifications are plausible outcomes. Organizations with legacy systems or delayed patch management processes are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before active exploitation begins.

1. Immediate assessment of Windows 10 Version 1809 deployments within the organization to identify affected systems. 2. Apply any forthcoming official patches from Microsoft as soon as they become available; monitor Microsoft security advisories closely. 3. Until patches are released, restrict local user access to systems where possible, especially limiting access to the printing subsystem and PrintWorkflowUserSvc service. 4. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on print services and related processes to detect unusual privilege escalation attempts. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior related to privilege escalation and memory manipulation. 6. Consider upgrading affected systems to newer, supported Windows versions where this vulnerability is not present. 7. Conduct user awareness training to minimize the risk of local threat actors exploiting this vulnerability. 8. Regularly audit and harden local user permissions and group policies to reduce the attack surface. 9. Use application whitelisting and restrict execution of unauthorized code to mitigate exploitation attempts.