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CVE-2024-38134: CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2024-38134cvecve-2024-38134cwe-125
Published: Tue Aug 13 2024 (08/13/2024, 17:30:11 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Microsoft
Product: Windows 11 Version 24H2

Description

Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/04/2025, 03:27:39 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2024-38134 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 (build 10.0.26100.0). It is classified as an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) within the Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver. This vulnerability allows an attacker with limited privileges (low-level privileges) to perform an elevation of privilege attack, potentially gaining higher system privileges without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability arises due to improper bounds checking in the kernel streaming component, which leads to reading memory outside the intended buffer boundaries. This can result in disclosure of sensitive information, corruption of kernel memory, or triggering system instability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have some level of access to the system but no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component and does not extend to other system components. Exploitation requires low privileges (PR:L), suggesting that an attacker with limited access can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges to a higher level, potentially SYSTEM or kernel level. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and patched details are not yet linked, indicating the need for rapid patch deployment once available. This vulnerability is critical for environments running Windows 11 24H2, especially those with multiple users or exposed to local threat actors.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread adoption of Windows 11 24H2 in enterprise and government environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges from a low-level user account to administrative or kernel-level privileges, enabling them to bypass security controls, install persistent malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. This is particularly concerning for sectors with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and public administration. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems could be compromised, leading to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR and other frameworks. Additionally, the local attack vector means that insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold through phishing or other means could leverage this vulnerability to deepen their access. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code may emerge following public disclosure. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using Windows 11 devices are also at risk if attackers can gain local access through remote desktop or other means.

Mitigation Recommendations

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches for Windows 11 Version 24H2 as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 2) Implement strict access controls and limit local user privileges to the minimum necessary, reducing the pool of accounts that could exploit this flaw. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for unusual kernel-level activity or privilege escalation attempts. 4) Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions to identify and remove unnecessary local accounts. 5) Use application whitelisting and restrict execution of untrusted code to prevent attackers from deploying exploit payloads. 6) Educate users about the risks of phishing and social engineering that could lead to initial local access. 7) For high-security environments, consider deploying Windows Defender Credential Guard and other virtualization-based security features to isolate critical system components. 8) Maintain robust backup and recovery processes to mitigate impact from potential system compromise. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on minimizing local privilege abuse opportunities and enhancing detection capabilities specific to kernel-level exploits.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
microsoft
Date Reserved
2024-06-11T22:36:08.196Z
Cisa Enriched
true
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 682cd0f71484d88663aeb204

Added to database: 5/20/2025, 6:59:03 PM

Last enriched: 7/4/2025, 3:27:39 AM

Last updated: 7/31/2025, 6:29:24 AM

Views: 17

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