CVE-2024-38025: Windows 10 1507 PDH Library RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-38025 Overview

CVE-2024-38025 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows Performance Data Helper (PDH) library. The flaw affects a broad set of Windows client and server releases and is tracked under memory-corruption weaknesses [CWE-122] heap-based buffer overflow and [CWE-787] out-of-bounds write. An attacker with high privileges on the network can trigger memory corruption in pdh.dll to execute arbitrary code in the context of the vulnerable process.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected host, enabling remote code execution across supported Windows and Windows Server versions.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

2024-07-09 - CVE-2024-38025 published to NVD by Microsoft during the July 2024 Patch Tuesday cycle
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38025

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Windows Performance Data Helper library (pdh.dll), a component used by applications to consume Windows performance counter data. Microsoft classifies the flaw as a remote code execution issue, and the associated weaknesses map to a heap-based buffer overflow [CWE-122] and an out-of-bounds write [CWE-787]. An attacker crafts input processed by the PDH APIs to write beyond an allocated heap buffer, corrupting adjacent memory and hijacking execution flow. Because the attack vector is network-based but requires high privileges, exploitation typically involves an authenticated actor abusing a service or protocol that consumes performance data on behalf of a remote caller.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of the size or structure of performance counter data processed by pdh.dll. When the library allocates a heap buffer based on attacker-influenced parameters, subsequent copy operations exceed the buffer boundary. The resulting out-of-bounds write corrupts heap metadata or adjacent objects, which an attacker leverages to redirect execution to attacker-controlled code.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the attacker to already possess high privileges on the target and to reach a component or service that invokes pdh.dll with attacker-controlled inputs. No user interaction is required. On success, code executes in the context of the process consuming performance data, which in Windows Server environments often runs with elevated privileges. This vulnerability chains well with initial access techniques targeting administrative or service accounts.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Microsoft CVE-2024-38025 Advisory for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38025

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or Windows Error Reporting entries referencing pdh.dll on Windows or Windows Server hosts.
Anomalous child processes spawned by services that load pdh.dll, such as performance monitoring or WMI-related processes.
Memory corruption exceptions (0xC0000374 heap corruption, 0xC0000005 access violation) associated with the PDH library.

Detection Strategies

Monitor process creation events where a process loading pdh.dll spawns command interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell.exe) or network utilities.
Correlate authenticated remote administrative activity with subsequent pdh.dll faults or unexpected loaded modules in the target process.
Baseline the set of hosts and services that legitimately consume performance data remotely, then alert on deviations.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Sysmon Event ID 7 (Image Loaded) tracking for pdh.dll in services exposed to the network.
Forward Windows Application and System logs, along with Windows Error Reporting telemetry, to a centralized SIEM for correlation.
Track authentication events for privileged accounts and pivot on hosts where those accounts touch performance counter infrastructure.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38025

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2024-38025 to all affected Windows and Windows Server systems.
Prioritize patching on domain controllers, management servers, and hosts that expose performance counters to remote collection agents.
Audit accounts with high privileges and enforce least privilege for service accounts that interact with performance monitoring components.

Patch Information

Microsoft released fixes as part of the July 2024 Patch Tuesday. Consult the Microsoft CVE-2024-38025 Advisory for the specific KB article and update package that applies to each Windows release listed under Affected Products.

Workarounds

Restrict network access to services that consume performance counter data using host firewalls and network segmentation.
Rotate and constrain credentials for accounts that meet the high-privilege prerequisite for exploitation.
Where patching is delayed, disable or block remote performance data collection paths (for example, remote registry and WMI queries to performance counters) from untrusted networks.

bash

# Configuration example: block remote WMI/Perfmon access from untrusted subnets
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Remote WMI - Untrusted" `
  -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 135 `
  -RemoteAddress 10.99.0.0/16 -Action Block

# Verify patch level on affected hosts
Get-HotFix | Where-Object { $_.InstalledOn -ge (Get-Date "2024-07-09") }