CVE-2025-24083 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft Office 2019, specifically version 19.0.0, categorized under CWE-822, which pertains to untrusted pointer dereference. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code locally on the victim's machine by exploiting improper handling of pointers within Office. The flaw arises when Office dereferences pointers that have not been properly validated, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires local access and user interaction, such as opening a malicious Office document, but does not require prior privileges or authentication. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction necessary. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and the ubiquity of Microsoft Office make it a critical concern. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation strategies. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in March 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The vulnerability is enriched by CISA, highlighting its importance in cybersecurity advisories.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-24083 is significant due to the widespread deployment of Microsoft Office 2019 across enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors. Successful exploitation can lead to local code execution, enabling attackers to escalate privileges, deploy malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt operations. This can compromise confidentiality of sensitive business and personal data, integrity of documents and systems, and availability of critical services. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, public administration, and manufacturing are particularly at risk given their reliance on Office productivity tools. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be leveraged to trigger exploitation. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score and potential for widespread impact necessitate urgent attention. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value European targets, increasing geopolitical risk considerations.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches immediately once released for Microsoft Office 2019 version 19.0.0. 2. Until patches are available, restrict or disable macros and ActiveX controls in Office documents through Group Policy or Office configuration settings to reduce attack surface. 3. Employ advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous memory access patterns and suspicious Office document behavior. 4. Implement strict email filtering and phishing defenses to reduce the likelihood of malicious document delivery. 5. Conduct user awareness training focused on identifying and avoiding opening suspicious Office documents or attachments. 6. Use application whitelisting to limit execution of unauthorized code and scripts. 7. Regularly audit and update Office installations to ensure only supported and secure versions are in use. 8. Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a local compromise occurs. 9. Leverage Microsoft Defender for Office 365 and related security tools to scan and block malicious content. 10. Maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate impact of potential exploitation.