CVE-2025-24064 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the DNS Server component of Microsoft Windows Server 2019, specifically version 10.0.17763.0. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior, including potential arbitrary code execution. In this case, the vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to send specially crafted network packets to the DNS Server, triggering the use-after-free condition. This can result in remote code execution (RCE) with system-level privileges, enabling the attacker to fully compromise the affected server. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with attack vector being network (AV:N), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The attack complexity is high (AC:H), indicating some difficulty in exploitation, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No patches were linked at the time of publication, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild yet. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in March 2025, indicating recent discovery. The DNS Server is a critical infrastructure component, often exposed to external networks, increasing the risk profile. This vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or widespread campaigns once exploit code becomes available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat due to the widespread use of Windows Server 2019 in enterprise and government environments. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, disrupt services, or establish persistent footholds. The DNS Server's critical role in network infrastructure means that exploitation could also impact network reliability and availability, potentially causing denial of service or facilitating further attacks such as DNS spoofing or man-in-the-middle. Organizations with externally facing DNS servers are particularly vulnerable. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability could affect sectors including finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the lack of authentication and user interaction requirements lowers the barrier for attackers. European entities subject to strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) may face compliance risks and reputational damage if exploited. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the threat landscape could rapidly evolve.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches immediately upon release to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, restrict network access to DNS Server ports (typically UDP/TCP 53) using firewalls or network segmentation, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. 3. Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with updated signatures to detect anomalous DNS traffic patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on DNS services to identify exposure. 5. Implement strict access controls and logging on DNS servers to monitor for suspicious activity. 6. Consider deploying DNS security extensions (DNSSEC) and other DNS hardening techniques to reduce attack surface. 7. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving DNS server compromise. 8. Evaluate the necessity of exposing DNS services externally; if possible, use dedicated DNS appliances or cloud-based DNS providers with robust security controls. 9. Maintain up-to-date backups and recovery procedures to mitigate impact in case of compromise. 10. Collaborate with cybersecurity information sharing groups to stay informed about emerging exploit developments.