CVE-2025-24068 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). It is classified as a CWE-126: Buffer Over-read vulnerability located within the Windows Storage Management Provider component. This vulnerability allows an authorized local attacker to cause a buffer over-read condition, which can lead to the disclosure of sensitive information from memory. The attacker must have some level of privileges on the affected system (low privileges required) but does not require user interaction to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability but impacts confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector limited to local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges required (PR:L). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability’s impact is confined to Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older version of Windows 10, but still may be in use in some environments. The buffer over-read occurs when the Storage Management Provider improperly handles memory buffers, allowing an attacker to read beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially leaking sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. This could include credentials, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data residing in memory. Since the attack requires local access and privileges, it is more likely to be exploited in scenarios where an attacker has already gained limited access to a system, such as through phishing, insider threats, or lateral movement within a network.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-24068 lies in the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information on affected Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. Organizations that still operate legacy systems or have not upgraded from this Windows version are at risk. The confidentiality breach could lead to exposure of credentials or sensitive business data, facilitating further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within corporate networks. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the information disclosure could undermine trust, lead to compliance violations (e.g., GDPR), and increase the risk of subsequent attacks. Sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure in Europe could face reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny if exploited. The requirement for local access and privileges limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where endpoint security is weak or insider threats exist. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but organizations should not delay remediation given the potential severity of data leakage.

1. Upgrade affected systems: The most effective mitigation is to upgrade Windows 10 Version 1809 systems to a supported and patched version of Windows 10 or Windows 11, as Microsoft typically addresses such vulnerabilities in newer releases. 2. Apply security updates promptly: Monitor Microsoft security advisories for patches addressing CVE-2025-24068 and apply them as soon as they become available. 3. Restrict local access: Limit local user privileges strictly to what is necessary, employing the principle of least privilege to reduce the risk that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability. 4. Harden endpoint security: Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious local activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Network segmentation: Isolate legacy systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 from critical network segments to minimize lateral movement opportunities. 6. Conduct regular audits: Identify and inventory systems still running Windows 10 Version 1809 and prioritize their upgrade or isolation. 7. User awareness and insider threat programs: Educate users about the risks of local privilege misuse and implement monitoring to detect anomalous behavior from insiders. 8. Implement memory protection technologies: Use security features such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to make exploitation more difficult.