CVE-2024-20652: Windows 10 1507 Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-20652 Overview

CVE-2024-20652 is a security feature bypass vulnerability affecting Windows HTML Platforms across a wide range of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent security controls implemented in Windows HTML rendering components, potentially leading to unauthorized access or execution of malicious content.

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), indicating that the flaw involves improper handling of external input that controls file names or paths within the HTML platform components. This type of weakness can enable attackers to manipulate file operations in unintended ways, bypassing security restrictions designed to protect the system.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security features in Windows HTML Platforms, potentially enabling network-based attacks that compromise system confidentiality, integrity, and availability without requiring user interaction.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
• Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 21H2, 22H2, 23H2)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022

Discovery Timeline

• January 9, 2024 - CVE-2024-20652 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-20652

Vulnerability Analysis

This security feature bypass vulnerability exists in the Windows HTML Platforms component, which is responsible for rendering HTML content across various Windows applications and services. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of external input that controls file names or paths (CWE-73), allowing attackers to potentially manipulate how the HTML platform handles file operations.

The attack requires network access and involves high complexity to exploit successfully. However, once exploited, the vulnerability can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. No privileges are required to initiate the attack, and no user interaction is necessary, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability in exposed environments.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-20652 lies in the Windows HTML Platforms' handling of externally-provided file names or paths. The component fails to properly validate or sanitize input that influences file operations, enabling attackers to bypass security features that would normally restrict access to protected resources or prevent execution of untrusted content.

This weakness falls under CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), which describes scenarios where an application uses external input to construct file paths without adequate validation. In the context of HTML platforms, this can lead to security feature bypasses that undermine the trust boundaries Windows enforces.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-20652 is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring local access to the target system. The exploitation scenario involves:

1. An attacker crafts malicious content designed to exploit the file path handling weakness in Windows HTML Platforms
2. The malicious content is delivered to the target system through network channels
3. When processed by the vulnerable HTML platform component, the security feature bypass is triggered
4. The attacker can then potentially access protected resources or execute restricted operations

While the attack complexity is high—requiring specific conditions to be met for successful exploitation—the fact that no authentication or user interaction is required increases the risk profile significantly.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-20652

Indicators of Compromise

• Monitor for unusual file access patterns originating from HTML rendering processes such as mshtml.dll or related components
• Look for unexpected network connections from Windows HTML platform components to external resources
• Watch for anomalous file path manipulation attempts in Windows Event Logs related to HTML processing
• Check for security feature bypass indicators in Windows Defender logs

Detection Strategies

• Implement endpoint detection rules that monitor for suspicious HTML platform behavior, particularly file access operations with unusual paths
• Deploy network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts targeting Windows HTML rendering services
• Enable detailed Windows Event logging for HTML platform components and establish baseline behavior patterns
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI engine to detect anomalous process activities associated with HTML rendering

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure SIEM alerts for events indicating security feature bypass attempts in HTML platform contexts
• Monitor process creation events for child processes spawned by HTML rendering components with suspicious command lines
• Track file system access patterns from Internet Explorer and Edge legacy rendering engines
• Enable audit policies for object access to detect unauthorized file operations

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-20652

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the January 2024 Microsoft security updates immediately to all affected Windows systems
• Prioritize patching for internet-facing systems and systems that process external HTML content
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems
• Enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard mitigations where applicable

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates to address CVE-2024-20652 as part of the January 2024 Patch Tuesday release. Organizations should consult the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2024-20652 for detailed patch information specific to their Windows versions.

The patches are available through Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and the Microsoft Update Catalog. Administrators should ensure all affected systems are updated, including:

• Windows 10 all supported versions
• Windows 11 all supported versions
• Windows Server 2008 SP2 through Windows Server 2022

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to systems running vulnerable Windows versions where patching cannot be immediately applied
• Consider disabling or restricting HTML platform features if not required for business operations
• Implement application control policies to limit which processes can invoke HTML platform components
• Deploy network-based protections such as web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious HTML content

# Verify patch installation status using PowerShell
Get-HotFix | Where-Object {$_.InstalledOn -ge "2024-01-09"} | Select-Object HotFixID, InstalledOn

# Check Windows Update history for January 2024 updates
Get-WindowsUpdateLog
wmic qfe list brief /format:table | findstr /i "KB"