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Microsoft Windows 11 - Kernel Privilege Escalation

High
Published: Tue Apr 22 2025 (04/22/2025, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: Exploit-DB RSS Feed

Description

Microsoft Windows 11 - Kernel Privilege Escalation

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/11/2025, 21:08:20 UTC

Technical Analysis

This security threat concerns a kernel privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11, identified as CVE-2024-21338. The exploit targets a flaw in the AppLocker driver (\Device\AppID) by sending a specially crafted IOCTL request (AipSmartHashImageFile) to the driver. The exploit code, written in C, leverages the ability to leak kernel addresses such as ETHREAD and FileObject structures, as well as the base address of the ntoskrnl.exe kernel module. It uses these leaked addresses to manipulate kernel memory and escalate privileges from a local user context to SYSTEM level. The exploit dynamically adapts to different Windows versions by adjusting IOCTL buffer structures and offsets, specifically handling builds before and after Windows 11's initial release (build 22000). The core technique involves modifying the PreviousMode field in the ETHREAD structure to trick the kernel into executing code with elevated privileges. The exploit also locates a kernel gadget (nt!ExpProfileDelete) used as a function pointer to facilitate the privilege escalation. The exploit requires local access and does not need user interaction beyond execution. No patches or known exploits in the wild are currently reported, but the exploit code is publicly available, increasing the risk of weaponization. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to gain kernel-level privileges, potentially bypassing security controls and compromising system integrity and confidentiality.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this kernel privilege escalation vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises relying on Windows 11 endpoints. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling full control over affected machines. This can lead to deployment of persistent malware, lateral movement within networks, theft of sensitive data, and disruption of critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and operations. The exploit's local nature means initial access vectors could include phishing, malicious insiders, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities to gain user-level access before privilege escalation. The availability of public exploit code lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of targeted attacks or inclusion in multi-stage attack chains. Additionally, the AppLocker driver is a security feature used to control application execution; its compromise undermines endpoint security policies, further increasing risk. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication means organizations must rely on mitigations and monitoring to reduce exposure.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Apply official Microsoft patches immediately once available for CVE-2024-21338 to remediate the vulnerability at the kernel level. 2. Until patches are released, restrict local administrative privileges and enforce the principle of least privilege to limit potential exploitation. 3. Disable or restrict access to the AppLocker driver device (\Device\AppID) where feasible, using device access control policies or endpoint protection tools. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious IOCTL calls or attempts to open handles to the AppLocker driver. 5. Monitor system logs and kernel event tracing for anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts, such as unexpected NtDeviceIoControlFile calls or handle duplications. 6. Harden user account controls and implement multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of initial user-level compromise. 7. Conduct regular security awareness training to reduce the risk of phishing or social engineering attacks that could lead to local access. 8. Use virtualization-based security features (e.g., Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity) if supported and enabled to add an additional layer of kernel protection. 9. Network segmentation to limit lateral movement from compromised endpoints. 10. Employ strict patch management and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate vulnerable systems promptly.

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Technical Details

Edb Id
52275
Has Exploit Code
true
Code Language
c

Indicators of Compromise

Exploit Source Code

Exploit Code

Exploit code for Microsoft Windows 11 - Kernel Privilege Escalation

# Exploit Title: Microsoft Windows 11 - Kernel Privilege Escalation
# Date: 2025-04-16
# Exploit Author: Milad Karimi (Ex3ptionaL)
# Contact: miladgrayhat@gmail.com
# Zone-H: www.zone-h.org/archive/notifier=Ex3ptionaL
# Tested on: Win, Ubuntu
# CVE : CVE-2024-21338



#include "pch.hpp"
#include "poc.hpp"

// This function is used to set the IOCTL buffer depending on the Windows
version
void* c_poc::set_ioctl_buffer(size_t* k_thread_offset, OSVERSIONINFOEXW*
os_info)
{
 os_info->dwOSVersionInfoS
... (12507 more characters)
Code Length: 13,007 characters • Language: C/C++

Threat ID: 68489e527e6d765d51d543b0

Added to database: 6/10/2025, 9:06:26 PM

Last enriched: 6/11/2025, 9:08:20 PM

Last updated: 8/16/2025, 11:50:00 PM

Views: 26

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