CVE-2024-26234: Windows 10 1507 Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-26234 Overview

CVE-2024-26234 is a Proxy Driver Spoofing Vulnerability affecting a wide range of Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and various Windows Server editions. This vulnerability allows attackers with high privileges to spoof proxy drivers, potentially enabling them to intercept, modify, or redirect network traffic in ways that could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality.

Critical Impact

Attackers with elevated privileges can exploit this vulnerability to spoof proxy drivers, potentially gaining the ability to intercept network communications, manipulate traffic, and compromise the confidentiality and integrity of affected Windows systems.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

• April 9, 2024 - CVE-2024-26234 published to NVD
• January 8, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-26234

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability resides in the Windows proxy driver implementation and is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). The flaw enables an attacker who has already obtained high-privilege access on a local system to spoof proxy driver functionality. By exploiting this weakness, an adversary can masquerade as a legitimate proxy driver, allowing them to intercept and potentially manipulate network traffic passing through the compromised system.

The local attack vector means the attacker must have prior access to the target system, but once achieved, the exploitation requires no user interaction. The impact is significant across confidentiality, integrity, and availability dimensions, as successful exploitation could lead to data theft, traffic manipulation, and disruption of network services.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-26234 stems from improper access control mechanisms in the Windows proxy driver subsystem. The vulnerability exists because the system fails to adequately validate the authenticity and authorization of proxy driver operations, allowing an attacker with administrative privileges to impersonate or spoof legitimate proxy driver behavior.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the target Windows system with high privileges (administrative access). An attacker who has already compromised a system and elevated their privileges can exploit this vulnerability to:

1. Install or manipulate proxy driver components
2. Intercept network traffic passing through the system
3. Modify or inject data into network communications
4. Potentially redirect traffic to attacker-controlled destinations

The exploitation does not require any user interaction once the attacker has established their privileged position on the system.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-26234

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected or unauthorized proxy driver installations in the Windows driver store
• Anomalous network traffic patterns indicating traffic interception or redirection
• Suspicious driver loading events in the Windows Event Log (Event ID 6 in System log)
• Unauthorized modifications to network proxy or driver configuration settings

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for unusual driver installation events using Windows Event Forwarding and SIEM solutions
• Implement driver signing enforcement and audit for any attempts to load unsigned or untrusted drivers
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring driver-level activity
• Conduct regular integrity checks on system drivers against known-good baselines

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for driver and service installation events in Windows Event Logs
• Configure alerts for DriverLoad events in security monitoring platforms, particularly for proxy-related drivers
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect anomalous proxy behavior or unexpected traffic routing
• Regularly review and audit administrative access to identify potential privilege escalation paths

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-26234

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest Windows security updates from Microsoft immediately
• Audit and review all installed drivers for unauthorized or suspicious proxy drivers
• Restrict administrative access to essential personnel only using the principle of least privilege
• Enable Windows Defender Credential Guard and Device Guard where applicable

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates to address CVE-2024-26234 as part of their security update cycle. Organizations should consult the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory for detailed patch information and apply the relevant updates for their affected Windows versions.

SentinelOne Singularity platform provides comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts through behavioral AI detection, real-time driver monitoring, and automated response capabilities that can identify and mitigate suspicious driver activities associated with this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement strict driver signing policies using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker
• Limit local administrator privileges and implement privileged access management solutions
• Deploy network segmentation to limit the potential impact of traffic interception attacks
• Enable Hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) to protect against malicious driver loading

# Enable Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI)
# Run in elevated PowerShell
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity" -Name "Enabled" -Value 1

# Verify HVCI status
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object DeviceGuardSecurityServicesRunning