CVE-2024-30088: Windows Kernel Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-30088 Overview

Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. This high-severity vulnerability allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on affected Windows systems.

Critical Impact
Exploiting this vulnerability could allow attackers to achieve complete control over a compromised system.

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows 10 1507
Microsoft Windows 11 21H2
Microsoft Windows Server 2022

Discovery Timeline

2024-06-11 - CVE CVE-2024-30088 published to NVD
2025-10-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-30088

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is due to improper handling of privileged operations within the Windows Kernel, allowing local attackers with limited privileges to escalate their rights to the level of the SYSTEM account.

Root Cause

The root of the issue lies in a race condition (CWE-367) in the handling of certain kernel-mode requests, leading to an inconsistent security state.

Attack Vector

Local: The attacker requires local access to the system running the vulnerable versions of Windows.

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
#include <stdio.h>
#include <windows.h>

int main() {
    // Attempt to exploit the vulnerability
    HANDLE device = CreateFile("\\.\VulnerableDevice", GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE, 0, NULL, OPEN_EXISTING, 0, NULL);
    if (device != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
        // Fuzz commands to find a kernel access path
        printf("Device opened successfully!\n");
        CloseHandle(device);
    } else {
        printf("Failed to open device.\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30088

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual process creation logs
Altered system files or settings
Unauthorized accounts with elevated privileges

Detection Strategies

Utilize advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions like SentinelOne to identify privilege escalation attempts by monitoring process activities and kernel interactions for suspicious patterns.

Monitoring Recommendations

Continuous monitoring of security event logs and audit trails, focusing on sensitive account changes and unexpected system behaviors, is recommended.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30088

Immediate Actions Required

Disable unnecessary local user accounts
Apply the recommended security patch
Review and harden local security policies

Patch Information

Microsoft has released patches as part of their regular security update cycle to address this vulnerability. Visit Microsoft's advisory for patch details.

Workarounds

If applying patches is not feasible, restrict access to vulnerable systems and ensure only trusted users can operate them.

bash

# Configuration example
net user YourUserName YourNewPassword /add
net localgroup administrators YourUserName /add
net user YourUserName /active:yes