CVE-2024-49104 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically in the Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). RRAS is a critical component that provides routing and remote access capabilities, including VPN and dial-up networking services. The vulnerability allows remote code execution (RCE) without requiring any privileges or authentication, but it does require user interaction. An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted network packets to a vulnerable system's RRAS service, triggering a heap buffer overflow. This overflow can corrupt memory, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the ease of exploitation over the network. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially for systems still running the older Windows 10 1809 version, which is past mainstream support. The lack of an official patch link suggests that mitigation may currently rely on workarounds or awaiting a security update from Microsoft. Given the critical nature of RRAS in enterprise environments, exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of network services.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-49104 could be severe. Many enterprises and public sector entities in Europe rely on Windows 10 systems, including legacy versions like 1809, especially in industrial, governmental, and critical infrastructure environments where upgrading is slower. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over affected systems, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt network routing, or pivot within internal networks. This could compromise confidentiality of personal and corporate data, violate GDPR requirements, and cause operational downtime. The vulnerability's network-exploitable nature means attackers can target exposed RRAS services remotely, increasing risk for organizations with VPN or remote access endpoints accessible from the internet. Additionally, the high integrity and availability impact could disrupt essential services, affecting business continuity and critical infrastructure operations across Europe.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling the RRAS service on Windows 10 Version 1809 systems where it is not essential, thereby removing the attack surface. 2. For systems requiring RRAS, restrict network exposure by implementing strict firewall rules to limit access to RRAS ports only to trusted IP addresses and VPN gateways. 3. Employ network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems and monitor RRAS traffic for anomalies using intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). 4. Apply any available Microsoft security updates promptly once released; monitor official Microsoft security advisories for patches addressing CVE-2024-49104. 5. Conduct an inventory of all Windows 10 1809 systems and prioritize upgrading to supported Windows versions with ongoing security support. 6. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting exploitation attempts related to heap buffer overflows and unusual RRAS activity. 7. Educate users about the risk of interacting with unsolicited network prompts or connections that could trigger the vulnerability, as user interaction is required for exploitation.