CVE-2024-38041: CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2024-38041 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting the Windows Kernel in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw allows an attacker with low-level privileges (PR:L) and local access (AV:L) to gain unauthorized access to sensitive kernel information, potentially exposing confidential data. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and does not affect system integrity or availability (I:N, A:N), but it compromises confidentiality (C:H). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. Exploitation complexity is low (AC:L), but the attacker must have local access and some privileges, limiting the attack surface primarily to insiders or compromised accounts. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, though Microsoft is likely to release updates given the vulnerability's publication. The exposure of kernel information could facilitate further attacks or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments still running the older Windows 10 1809 version, which is nearing or past end-of-support status, increasing the risk due to lack of ongoing security updates.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-38041 is the potential exposure of sensitive kernel-level information, which could lead to confidentiality breaches. This may include leakage of system internals, memory contents, or security-sensitive data that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks or privilege escalations. Organizations in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure could face compliance risks if sensitive data is exposed. Since exploitation requires local access with some privileges, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised user accounts pose the greatest risk. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the exposure of sensitive information could undermine trust and lead to secondary attacks. European entities still using Windows 10 Version 1809, especially those delaying upgrades due to legacy application dependencies, are more vulnerable. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Upgrade affected systems to a supported and fully patched version of Windows 10 or later (e.g., Windows 10 21H2 or Windows 11) to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict access controls and monitoring to limit local access to systems, reducing the likelihood of an attacker gaining the required privileges. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious local activities that could indicate attempts to exploit kernel information leaks. 4. Enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize user privileges and reduce the attack surface. 5. Regularly audit and review user accounts and permissions to detect and remove unnecessary elevated privileges. 6. Monitor Microsoft security advisories for the release of patches addressing CVE-2024-38041 and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider network segmentation and isolation for critical systems running legacy Windows versions to contain potential breaches. 8. Educate internal staff about the risks of local privilege misuse and insider threats. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access, privilege management, and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of this kernel information disclosure vulnerability.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Austria
CVE-2024-38041: CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809
Description
Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-38041 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting the Windows Kernel in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw allows an attacker with low-level privileges (PR:L) and local access (AV:L) to gain unauthorized access to sensitive kernel information, potentially exposing confidential data. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and does not affect system integrity or availability (I:N, A:N), but it compromises confidentiality (C:H). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. Exploitation complexity is low (AC:L), but the attacker must have local access and some privileges, limiting the attack surface primarily to insiders or compromised accounts. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, though Microsoft is likely to release updates given the vulnerability's publication. The exposure of kernel information could facilitate further attacks or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments still running the older Windows 10 1809 version, which is nearing or past end-of-support status, increasing the risk due to lack of ongoing security updates.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-38041 is the potential exposure of sensitive kernel-level information, which could lead to confidentiality breaches. This may include leakage of system internals, memory contents, or security-sensitive data that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks or privilege escalations. Organizations in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure could face compliance risks if sensitive data is exposed. Since exploitation requires local access with some privileges, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised user accounts pose the greatest risk. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, the exposure of sensitive information could undermine trust and lead to secondary attacks. European entities still using Windows 10 Version 1809, especially those delaying upgrades due to legacy application dependencies, are more vulnerable. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Upgrade affected systems to a supported and fully patched version of Windows 10 or later (e.g., Windows 10 21H2 or Windows 11) to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict access controls and monitoring to limit local access to systems, reducing the likelihood of an attacker gaining the required privileges. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious local activities that could indicate attempts to exploit kernel information leaks. 4. Enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize user privileges and reduce the attack surface. 5. Regularly audit and review user accounts and permissions to detect and remove unnecessary elevated privileges. 6. Monitor Microsoft security advisories for the release of patches addressing CVE-2024-38041 and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider network segmentation and isolation for critical systems running legacy Windows versions to contain potential breaches. 8. Educate internal staff about the risks of local privilege misuse and insider threats. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access, privilege management, and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of this kernel information disclosure vulnerability.
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2024-06-11T22:08:32.504Z
- Cisa Enriched
- true
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 682d981ec4522896dcbdb807
Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:08:46 AM
Last enriched: 10/14/2025, 11:12:44 PM
Last updated: 10/16/2025, 3:18:18 PM
Views: 26
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