ExploitPublished 9 May 2025

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 23H2 · Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Privilege Escalation

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Mentioned vulnerabilities

CVE-2024-38193

Severity

High

Rated by Threat Radar

Data as of 11 Jun 2025, 21:08 UTC

What to do

AI-suggested

Apply any forthcoming Microsoft security updates promptly once available, as this vulnerability affects a core Windows driver.

Implement strict local user access controls and minimize the number of users with local login rights on critical systems.

Use application control policies (e.g., Microsoft Defender Application Control) to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries and scripts, reducing the chance of exploit execution.

Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting abnormal kernel-level operations or suspicious IOCTL calls to the AFD driver.

Monitor system logs and kernel event tracing for unusual activity related to AFD device interactions or token manipulations.

Consider enabling Windows Defender Credential Guard and virtualization-based security features to harden token and credential protections.

Restrict use of legacy or unnecessary network protocols that rely on the AFD driver where possible to reduce attack surface.

Conduct regular privilege audits and enforce the principle of least privilege to limit potential impact of local exploits.

Description

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 23H2 - Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Privilege Escalation

Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows attackers with local access to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can facilitate lateral movement, persistence, and deployment of ransomware or espionage tools within corporate networks. Organizations relying on Windows 11 Pro 23H2, especially in environments where users have local access or where endpoint security is weak, are at risk. The exploit can be used post-initial compromise to elevate privileges and disable security controls, extract sensitive data, or disrupt operations. Given the prevalence of Windows 11 Pro in enterprise environments across Europe, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against critical infrastructure, government agencies, and private sector companies. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently suggests limited immediate threat, but the public availability of exploit code increases the risk of rapid weaponization.

Indicators of compromise

Exploit source code

Exploit code for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 23H2 - Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Privilege EscalationC/C++ · 24,184 characters

# Exploit Title: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 23H2 - Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Privilege Escalation
# Date: 2025-05-05
# Exploit Author: Milad Karimi (Ex3ptionaL)
# Contact: miladgrayhat@gmail.com
# Zone-H: www.zone-h.org/archive/notifier=Ex3ptionaL
# Tested on: Win x64
# CVE : CVE-2024-38193

#pragma once

#include "ntstatus.h"
#include "Windows.h"
#include <iostream>

#pragma comment(lib, "ntdll.lib")


#define HIDWORD(l) ((DWORD)(((DWORDLONG)(l)>>32)&0xFFFFFFFF))
#define LODWORD(l) ((…

References

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