CVE-2024-38052 is a vulnerability identified in the Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20), which can be exploited by a local attacker with limited privileges to elevate their privileges to a higher level, potentially SYSTEM or administrative rights. This elevation of privilege (EoP) flaw does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but the attacker must already have some level of access to the system (local access with limited privileges). The vulnerability affects the kernel streaming subsystem, which is responsible for handling multimedia streaming operations, indicating that the flaw lies in how input data is processed in this driver. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, meaning an attacker could gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet, and no official patches have been released as of the publication date (July 9, 2024). The vulnerability was reserved on June 11, 2024, and is tracked by CISA enrichment. Given the age of the affected Windows version (1809), many organizations may still be running this version in legacy environments, increasing the risk of exploitation once an exploit becomes available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those running legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 systems, which are common in industrial control systems, government agencies, and enterprises with strict change management policies. Successful exploitation allows attackers to escalate privileges locally, bypassing security controls and gaining administrative access. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and deployment of further malware or ransomware. The impact is heightened in sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and public administration, where confidentiality and availability are paramount. The lack of user interaction requirement and the ability to compromise system integrity make this a potent threat for insider attackers or malware that has gained initial foothold. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the risk of future exploitation remains high.

1. Immediately inventory and identify all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 within the organization. 2. Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, especially on systems where multimedia streaming services are used. 3. Implement application control and endpoint detection to monitor and block suspicious local privilege escalation attempts. 4. Disable or restrict access to the Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver if it is not required for business operations. 5. Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once Microsoft releases an official fix; monitor Microsoft security advisories closely. 6. Employ network segmentation to limit lateral movement from compromised endpoints. 7. Conduct user training to reduce the risk of initial compromise that could lead to local access. 8. Use enhanced logging and monitoring to detect anomalous privilege escalation behaviors. 9. Consider upgrading affected systems to a supported and patched Windows version to eliminate legacy vulnerabilities. 10. Coordinate with cybersecurity incident response teams to develop playbooks for potential exploitation scenarios.