CVE-2025-49724 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) found in the Windows Connected Devices Platform Service on Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code over a network without requiring privileges, although user interaction is necessary. The flaw arises from improper handling of memory in the Connected Devices Platform Service, leading to a use-after-free condition where the service accesses memory after it has been freed. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute code in the context of the affected service, potentially leading to full system compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in July 2025, indicating it is a recent discovery. The requirement for user interaction suggests that exploitation might involve tricking a user into initiating a connection or action that triggers the vulnerability remotely. The affected Windows 10 version 1809 is an older release, but still in use in some environments, especially in legacy or specialized systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, particularly for those still running Windows 10 Version 1809 in production environments. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over affected systems, steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or deploy ransomware and other malware. The fact that no privileges are required lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the threat level. Organizations in critical infrastructure sectors, government, finance, and healthcare are especially at risk due to the potential for widespread disruption and data breaches. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to trigger the vulnerability. The lack of available patches means organizations must rely on interim mitigations, increasing exposure until updates are released. Additionally, the use-after-free nature of the vulnerability could lead to system instability or crashes, affecting availability of services.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 and prioritize their upgrade to a supported and patched Windows version, as 1809 is out of mainstream support. 2) Restrict network access to the Windows Connected Devices Platform Service by applying firewall rules to block unnecessary inbound connections, especially from untrusted networks. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for suspicious activity related to the Connected Devices Platform Service. 4) Educate users about the risks of unsolicited network interactions and phishing attempts that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 5) Use network segmentation to isolate legacy systems running vulnerable versions from critical network segments. 6) Monitor security advisories from Microsoft closely for the release of patches and apply them promptly once available. 7) Consider disabling the Connected Devices Platform Service if it is not required for business operations, after assessing dependencies. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific service and version affected and leveraging network and endpoint controls to reduce attack surface.