CVE-2024-13944 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-367 (Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition) and CWE-59 (Link Following) affecting Norton Utilities Ultimate version 24.2.16862.6344 on Windows 10 Pro x64. The flaw exists in the NortonUtilitiesSvc service, which improperly handles symbolic links during privilege checks and subsequent operations. An attacker with local access can exploit this race condition by creating a malicious symbolic link between the time the service checks a resource and the time it uses it, redirecting operations to attacker-controlled files or locations. This manipulation allows escalation of privileges from a low-privileged user to SYSTEM level, enabling arbitrary code execution with full administrative rights. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require local access, making it a significant threat in environments where multiple users have local accounts or where attackers have gained initial footholds. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits are known yet, and no patches have been linked, but the vulnerability has been officially published and recognized by CISA. This vulnerability is critical for organizations relying on Norton Utilities Ultimate for system maintenance and optimization, as it undermines system security by allowing privilege escalation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk by enabling local attackers or malicious insiders to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on affected Windows 10 Pro x64 machines running Norton Utilities Ultimate. This can lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of persistent malware, disruption of system operations, and potential lateral movement within networks. The impact is particularly severe in environments with shared or multi-user systems, such as corporate workstations, managed service provider environments, and IT departments using Norton Utilities for system maintenance. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems and data can be compromised, potentially leading to data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept exploits may emerge. Organizations relying on Norton Utilities Ultimate should consider this vulnerability a high priority for remediation to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Immediately restrict local user permissions to prevent unauthorized creation of symbolic links or modification of system files. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect and block suspicious symbolic link creation or privilege escalation attempts. 3. Monitor system logs and security event logs for unusual activity related to NortonUtilitiesSvc or symbolic link operations. 4. Isolate systems running Norton Utilities Ultimate from untrusted users or networks to minimize local attack vectors. 5. Apply vendor patches as soon as they become available; maintain close communication with Norton for updates. 6. Consider temporarily disabling Norton Utilities Ultimate on critical systems if patching is delayed and risk is unacceptable. 7. Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on local privilege escalation vectors. 8. Educate IT staff and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and the importance of least privilege principles. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on symbolic link monitoring, user permission restrictions specific to the vulnerability, and proactive system isolation.