CVE-2024-27240: Zoom Rooms Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-27240 Overview

CVE-2024-27240 is a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the installer component for several Zoom applications on Windows. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the installer, which may allow an authenticated user to escalate privileges through local access to the system.

Critical Impact

Local attackers with basic user access can exploit this improper input validation flaw to elevate their privileges, potentially gaining administrative control over affected Windows systems running vulnerable Zoom applications.

Affected Products

• Zoom Rooms for Windows
• Zoom Workplace Desktop for Windows
• Zoom Workplace Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for Windows

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-07-15 - CVE-2024-27240 published to NVD
• 2025-08-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27240

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that the Zoom installer fails to adequately validate user-supplied input during the installation process. The vulnerability requires local access to the target system and user interaction, but does not require prior privileges to exploit. When successfully exploited, an attacker can achieve complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system.

The local attack vector combined with low attack complexity makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple users may have access to shared workstations running Zoom software. An attacker who gains initial foothold on a system—even with limited user privileges—could leverage this vulnerability to escalate to administrative privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-27240 lies in insufficient input validation within the Zoom application installer for Windows. The installer fails to properly sanitize or validate certain input parameters, creating an opportunity for malicious input to be processed in an unintended manner. This improper input handling allows attackers to manipulate the installation process to achieve privilege escalation.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to a Windows system where vulnerable Zoom applications are installed or being installed. An attacker must be authenticated to the system but does not need elevated privileges to initiate the attack. The exploitation requires some form of user interaction, which could involve tricking a user into performing certain actions during the installation process or manipulating installer parameters.

The attacker could potentially abuse the installer's elevated execution context (as installers typically require administrative privileges) by injecting malicious input that is processed with higher privileges than intended, resulting in privilege escalation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27240

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual process spawning from Zoom installer executables with unexpected command-line arguments
• Unexpected privilege elevation events correlated with Zoom installation or update activities
• Anomalous file system modifications in protected directories during Zoom installation processes
• Windows Event Log entries showing privilege escalation attempts tied to Zoom installer components

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows Event Logs for process creation events (Event ID 4688) associated with Zoom installer processes executing with unexpected privileges
• Implement application whitelisting to detect unauthorized modifications to Zoom installer binaries or associated DLLs
• Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify suspicious input patterns being passed to Zoom installer components
• Establish baseline behavior for Zoom installation processes and alert on deviations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed process auditing on endpoints running Zoom applications to capture installer activity
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate Zoom installation events with subsequent privilege changes
• Monitor for unauthorized Zoom software installations that bypass standard deployment procedures
• Review user access patterns for anomalies around Zoom application directories and installer locations

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27240

Immediate Actions Required

• Update all affected Zoom applications to the latest patched versions as specified in the Zoom Security Bulletin ZSB-24019
• Restrict local administrative access on systems running vulnerable Zoom applications until patches are applied
• Implement application control policies to prevent unauthorized execution of Zoom installers
• Audit systems to identify all instances of affected Zoom products in the environment

Patch Information

Zoom has released security patches to address this vulnerability. Organizations should reference the Zoom Security Bulletin ZSB-24019 for specific version information and download links for patched versions of Zoom Rooms, Zoom Workplace Desktop, and Zoom Workplace Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for Windows.

The vendor advisory provides detailed guidance on affected version ranges and the minimum versions required to remediate this vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest available versions.

Workarounds

• Restrict installation privileges so that only authorized IT administrators can install or update Zoom applications
• Implement strict application control policies that prevent execution of unsigned or modified Zoom installers
• Deploy Zoom applications via centralized, controlled software distribution systems rather than allowing user-initiated installations
• Temporarily disable Zoom auto-update features and manage updates through controlled IT processes until patches are verified and deployed