CVE-2024-49098 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically affecting the Windows Wireless Wide Area Network Service (WwanSvc). The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125), which occurs when the software reads data outside the boundaries of allocated memory. This flaw can lead to information disclosure, as the service may inadvertently expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability requires low privileges (PR:L) and does not require user interaction (UI:N), but it has a limited attack vector (AV:P), meaning it can only be exploited by an attacker with physical or local network access. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium severity level primarily due to the potential confidentiality impact without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The out-of-bounds read in WwanSvc could allow an attacker with local access to extract sensitive information from the system memory, which could be leveraged for further attacks or reconnaissance. Since the affected version is Windows 10 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0), which is an older release, many organizations may have already migrated to newer versions, but legacy systems remain at risk. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, increasing the risk in environments where local access is possible, such as shared workstations or public terminals. The lack of integrity or availability impact limits the scope to confidentiality breaches only.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-49098 is the potential exposure of sensitive information on devices running Windows 10 Version 1809. This could include corporate laptops, industrial control systems, or embedded devices that have not been updated. Information disclosure can facilitate further attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. Sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure could be particularly concerned about confidentiality breaches. Since the vulnerability requires local or physical access, organizations with shared work environments, remote offices, or public access points are at higher risk. The medium severity and lack of known exploits reduce immediate urgency but do not eliminate the threat, especially in environments where legacy systems are still operational. Additionally, compliance with European data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) could be impacted if sensitive personal data is exposed due to this vulnerability, leading to legal and reputational consequences.

1. Upgrade affected systems to a supported and updated version of Windows 10 or later, as Windows 10 Version 1809 is out of mainstream support and more vulnerable to security issues. 2. Restrict physical and local network access to devices running legacy Windows versions by enforcing strict access controls and network segmentation. 3. Monitor and audit local access logs to detect unauthorized attempts to access or exploit the WwanSvc. 4. Disable the Windows Wireless Wide Area Network Service (WwanSvc) on devices where it is not required to reduce the attack surface. 5. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous memory access patterns or suspicious local activity. 6. Prepare for patch deployment as soon as Microsoft releases an official fix by maintaining an up-to-date vulnerability management process. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of using outdated operating system versions and the importance of timely updates.