CVE-2024-21412: Windows 10 1809 Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-21412 Overview

Internet Shortcut Files Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability in various versions of Microsoft Windows allows threat actors to bypass important security features, leading to potential unauthorized access.

Critical Impact
Allows attackers to bypass security measures, accessing sensitive systems under certain conditions

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows 10 1809
Microsoft Windows 11 21H2
Microsoft Windows Server 2019

Discovery Timeline

Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Microsoft
Not Available - CVE CVE-2024-21412 assigned
Not Available - Microsoft releases security patch
2024-02-13 - CVE CVE-2024-21412 published to NVD
2025-10-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-21412

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate Internet shortcut files, effectively bypassing security features that are intended to mitigate unauthorized access, exploiting the lax checking of such files.

Root Cause

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation and handling of Internet Shortcut files, leading to potential bypass scenarios.

Attack Vector

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely by enticing users to access malicious shortcut files via a network.

powershell

# Example exploitation code (sanitized)
Start-Process -FilePath "C:\Users\Public\example.url"
# Manipulating shortcut vulnerabilities
If (Test-Path 'C:\malicious.url') {
    Rename-Item 'C:\malicious.url' 'C:\legitimate.url'
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-21412

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual .url file access patterns
Unexpected file renames or operations on Internet Shortcut files
Network requests correlating with known malicious domains

Detection Strategies

Utilize SentinelOne's advanced behavior monitoring to detect anomalous file manipulation or execution patterns that deviate from established baselines.

Monitoring Recommendations

Regularly inspect file access logs for instances involving .url files. Cross-reference operations with threat intelligence databases for known bad indicators.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-21412

Immediate Actions Required

Disable file launching from untrusted locations
Employ user training to identify potentially malicious shortcut files
Regularly update antivirus signatures and endpoint protection solutions

Patch Information

Microsoft provides updates and patches for this vulnerability available through the Microsoft Security Response Center.

Workarounds

Remove the capability for certain user groups to execute .url files directly by adjusting group policy settings.

bash

# Configuration example
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main' -Name 'Security_Feature_Binary_Behaviors' -Value "disable"