CVE-2024-30099: Windows 10 1507 Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-30099 Overview

CVE-2024-30099 is a Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege vulnerability that affects a wide range of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability exists in the Windows kernel and can allow an authenticated attacker with local access to escalate their privileges on the affected system. The flaw is classified as a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition (CWE-367), which occurs when the state of a resource changes between the time it is checked and the time it is used.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a low-privileged attacker to gain elevated privileges on Windows systems, potentially achieving SYSTEM-level access and full control over the affected machine.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

• June 11, 2024 - CVE-2024-30099 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-30099

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is a race condition in the Windows kernel that enables local privilege escalation. The attack requires local access to the target system and user-level authentication, though exploitation complexity is considered high due to the nature of race conditions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges, potentially achieving SYSTEM-level access.

The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker with elevated kernel privileges could read sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt system operations entirely. Windows kernel vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where attackers may chain this flaw with other techniques for lateral movement or persistence.

Root Cause

The root cause is a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition (CWE-367) in the Windows kernel. This class of vulnerability occurs when a program checks the state of a resource (such as a file, registry key, or memory location) and then uses that resource in a subsequent operation, but the resource's state can be changed by another process between these two steps. In the context of the Windows kernel, this timing gap can be exploited to manipulate privilege checks or security boundaries.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-30099 is local, meaning an attacker must have authenticated access to the target system. The attacker would need to execute a specially crafted program that exploits the race condition window to manipulate kernel operations. Due to the high attack complexity, successful exploitation requires precise timing to win the race condition between the check and use operations.

Typical exploitation scenarios include:

1. An attacker with standard user access runs malicious code designed to trigger the race condition
2. The exploit manipulates the timing of kernel operations to bypass privilege checks
3. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker gains elevated (SYSTEM-level) privileges

This vulnerability does not currently have known public exploits or proof-of-concept code available, and it has not been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-30099

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual process execution patterns with unexpected privilege levels, particularly processes rapidly escalating from standard user to SYSTEM
• Suspicious kernel-mode activity or abnormal system call patterns that may indicate race condition exploitation attempts
• Unexpected creation or modification of high-privilege processes by low-privileged user accounts

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for processes that exhibit unusual privilege transitions, particularly those that gain SYSTEM-level privileges from lower privilege contexts
• Implement endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying kernel exploitation attempts and anomalous kernel behavior
• Deploy SentinelOne's behavioral AI engine to detect privilege escalation techniques in real-time
• Enable Windows Event Logging for Security events (Event ID 4688) with command line auditing to track process creation with elevated privileges

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions to alert on privilege escalation indicators
• Regularly audit system processes and services for unexpected privilege levels
• Monitor for rapid successive operations on kernel objects that may indicate race condition exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-30099

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest Windows security updates from Microsoft as soon as possible
• Prioritize patching on internet-facing systems and systems with high-value data or critical business functions
• Implement the principle of least privilege to minimize the impact of potential exploitation
• Ensure endpoint protection solutions are updated with the latest detection signatures

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security patches addressing CVE-2024-30099 as part of their security update program. Organizations should review the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory for CVE-2024-30099 for specific patch details and update guidance for each affected Windows version.

The following Windows versions require patching:

• Windows 10: versions 1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
• Windows 11: versions 21H2, 22H2, 23H2
• Windows Server: 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2

Workarounds

• Restrict local access to systems to only authorized personnel who require it for their roles
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running
• Use Windows Defender Credential Guard on supported systems to protect credentials from kernel-level attacks
• Consider network segmentation to limit the impact if a system is compromised

# Verify Windows Update installation status
# Run in PowerShell with Administrator privileges
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