CVE-2024-21349: Windows 10 1507 ActiveX RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-21349 Overview

Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected Windows systems. This vulnerability affects the ActiveX Data Objects component, which is a core Windows technology used for database connectivity and data access across applications. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could achieve complete system compromise with the ability to install programs, view, change, or delete data, and create new accounts with full user rights.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows remote code execution with the potential for complete system compromise across a wide range of Windows desktop and server operating systems.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

• February 13, 2024 - CVE-2024-21349 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-21349

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow), indicating a memory corruption issue within the Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects component. The vulnerability exists in how ADO handles certain data operations, where improperly validated input can lead to memory corruption on the heap.

The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning an attacker would need to convince a user to open a malicious file or visit a compromised website that triggers the vulnerable ADO component. Once triggered, the heap-based buffer overflow can allow an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-21349 is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in the Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects component. This occurs when the ADO component fails to properly validate the size or boundaries of data being processed, allowing more data to be written to a heap buffer than was allocated. This memory corruption vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially execute malicious code.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability through several methods:

• Crafting a malicious document or file that leverages ADO functionality and convincing a user to open it
• Hosting a specially crafted web page that triggers the vulnerable ADO component when visited
• Sending phishing emails with malicious attachments designed to exploit the ADO vulnerability

The attack requires no special privileges and has low complexity, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors once user interaction is achieved.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21349

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or errors in applications that utilize ActiveX Data Objects (ADO)
• Anomalous process behavior from applications interfacing with database connectivity components
• Memory access violations or heap corruption events logged in Windows Event Logs
• Suspicious outbound network connections following ADO-related application usage

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows Event Logs for Application Error events related to ADO components (msado15.dll, msadce.dll)
• Implement endpoint detection rules to identify unusual memory allocation patterns in ADO-dependent processes
• Deploy network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic patterns following document or web page access
• Utilize behavioral analysis to detect post-exploitation activities such as privilege escalation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced Windows logging for heap corruption and memory access violations
• Configure SentinelOne agents to monitor for suspicious ADO component activity and heap spray techniques
• Implement file integrity monitoring for ADO-related system DLLs
• Monitor for unusual child process spawning from applications that utilize database connectivity

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21349

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the February 2024 Microsoft security updates immediately to all affected Windows systems
• Prioritize patching for systems that handle sensitive data or are exposed to untrusted content
• Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise
• Review and restrict user permissions to minimize the impact of successful exploitation

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates addressing this vulnerability as part of the February 2024 Patch Tuesday release. Administrators should obtain and apply the appropriate patches from the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2024-21349. The patches are available through Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to untrusted documents and websites that may trigger ADO functionality
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running
• Configure email gateways to block or quarantine suspicious attachments that may exploit this vulnerability
• Enable Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) or Windows Defender Exploit Guard protections where available

For enterprise environments, administrators should leverage Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker policies to restrict execution of potentially malicious content that could trigger this vulnerability.