CVE-2025-24046 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the Microsoft Streaming Service component of Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability arises when the service improperly manages memory, allowing an attacker with authorized local access to exploit the freed memory region. By leveraging this flaw, an attacker can execute code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard user privilege restrictions. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, making it easier to exploit once local access is obtained. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector limited to local access but requiring only low privileges. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially in environments where legacy Windows 10 1809 systems remain operational. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through alternative controls. This vulnerability could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks where initial access is gained through other means, followed by privilege escalation to gain full system control.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24046 is substantial. The ability for an attacker to elevate privileges locally can lead to full system compromise, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and potential lateral movement within networks. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, which often maintain legacy systems for compatibility reasons, face increased risk. The breach of confidentiality could result in exposure of personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity and availability impacts could disrupt business operations, causing financial losses and undermining trust. Since the vulnerability requires local access, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised lower-privileged accounts pose significant risks. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score underscores the urgency of addressing this vulnerability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-24046 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Prioritize patch management by applying official Microsoft updates as soon as they become available for Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. 2) Restrict local access to critical systems by enforcing strict access controls and limiting administrative privileges to essential personnel only. 3) Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 4) Conduct regular audits to identify and phase out legacy systems running unsupported or outdated Windows versions, migrating to supported platforms with ongoing security updates. 5) Employ network segmentation to limit the spread of an attacker who gains local access. 6) Enhance monitoring and logging to detect suspicious activities related to memory corruption or privilege escalation. 7) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of adhering to security policies. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of exploitation.