CVE-2024-21338: Windows 10 1809 Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-21338 Overview

The CVE-2024-21338 is a Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. It allows a local attacker to gain unauthorized access, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, affecting system security.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows 10 1809
• Microsoft Windows 10 21H2
• Microsoft Windows 10 22H2

Discovery Timeline

• Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
• Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Microsoft
• Not Available - CVE CVE-2024-21338 assigned
• Not Available - Microsoft releases security patch
• 2024-02-13 - CVE CVE-2024-21338 published to NVD
• 2025-10-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-21338

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of objects within the Windows Kernel, allowing attackers to exploit it through local access and obtain elevated privileges by leveraging specific API calls and kernel exploits.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the improper permission assignment for kernel-level object management, which can be exploited by malicious actors to execute code at a higher privilege level than intended.

Attack Vector

This is a local vulnerability, meaning the attacker must have local access to the affected system to exploit this flaw and execute arbitrary code within the kernel mode.

# Example exploitation code (sanitized)
# Assume vulnerability in a certain API function
function Exploit-Vuln {
    Start-Process cmd.exe -ArgumentList '/c whoami'
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21338

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual process spawning from services
• Presence of untrusted scripts or binaries
• Alterations in system file permissions

Detection Strategies

Monitoring for unauthorized or unusual kernel-level API calls can aid in detecting this vulnerability. Additionally, any anomalous activity involving privilege escalation should be flagged.

Monitoring Recommendations

SentinelOne’s behavior-based detection can intercept unauthorized privilege elevation attempts by leveraging machine learning models trained for kernel access patterns.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21338

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest security patches from Microsoft immediately.
• Monitor network traffic for anomalies.
• Use endpoint protection solutions to detect and respond to suspicious activities.

Patch Information

Official patches are available from Microsoft here.

Workarounds

Consider implementing additional local network restrictions and monitoring all privileged access attempts to mitigate exposure until patches are applied.

# Configuration example
# Disabling vulnerable services temporarily
Set-Service -Name 'vulnerableServiceName' -StartupType Disabled