CVE-2024-38041: Windows 10 1607 Kernel Info Disclosure

CVE-2024-38041 Overview

CVE-2024-38041 is a Windows Kernel information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple supported versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. The flaw allows an authenticated local attacker to read kernel memory contents that should remain protected from user-mode processes. Microsoft classifies the issue under CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor.

The vulnerability requires local access and low-privileged authentication. Successful exploitation does not affect integrity or availability but exposes confidential kernel data. Leaked data such as memory addresses or kernel pointers can be chained with other vulnerabilities to defeat Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and enable privilege escalation.

Critical Impact

A local authenticated attacker can disclose kernel memory contents, exposing data useful for bypassing KASLR and escalating subsequent exploits to SYSTEM.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-07-09 - CVE-2024-38041 published to NVD and addressed by Microsoft
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38041

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an information disclosure flaw in the Windows Kernel. A local attacker with valid low-privileged credentials can trigger conditions that cause the kernel to return memory contents the calling process should not be able to read. The disclosed information can include kernel pointers, structure layouts, or other sensitive state used by the operating system.

The impact profile shows confidentiality loss without changes to integrity or system availability. While the flaw alone does not grant code execution, attackers commonly weaponize kernel memory disclosures as the first stage of an exploit chain. Kernel address leaks are particularly valuable to attackers attempting to defeat KASLR before triggering a separate memory corruption primitive.

Root Cause

Microsoft has not published low-level technical details for this vulnerability. The CWE-200 classification indicates the kernel exposes sensitive information to a caller that should not have access to it. This commonly arises when kernel routines return data structures or buffers without clearing uninitialized memory, or when boundary checks on read operations are missing.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and authentication as a low-privileged user. No user interaction is required. The attacker runs code on the target machine and invokes the vulnerable kernel interface to extract memory contents into a user-mode buffer. Refer to the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2024-38041 for the authoritative vendor description.

No public proof-of-concept code is currently available, and the vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS percentile of 95 indicates a relatively elevated likelihood of exploitation activity compared to the broader CVE population.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38041

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected user-mode processes performing unusual volumes of NtQuerySystemInformation or similar kernel-interface system calls.
• Non-administrative processes accessing kernel-handle enumeration APIs typically reserved for diagnostic tools.
• Presence of unsigned or unknown binaries executing on endpoints shortly before privilege escalation events.

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows Event Logs for Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-General and Sysmon Event ID 1 entries showing unfamiliar processes invoking low-level kernel queries.
• Correlate information-disclosure indicators with downstream events such as token manipulation, driver loads, or service creation that could indicate exploit chaining.
• Hunt for processes that load ntdll.dll and immediately issue native API calls without going through standard Win32 APIs.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Track patch deployment state across all Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server endpoints to identify unpatched systems.
• Alert on local logons by service accounts or low-privileged users followed by suspicious process trees.
• Baseline normal use of kernel introspection tools and flag deviations from that baseline.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38041

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the July 2024 Microsoft security updates to all affected Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems.
• Inventory endpoints and servers against the affected versions list and prioritize patching for systems exposed to multi-user or interactive sessions.
• Restrict interactive and remote-desktop logon rights to the minimum set of users required for operations.

Patch Information

Microsoft released fixes through the standard monthly cumulative update channel. Detailed build numbers and download links are available in the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2024-38041. Administrators should validate that the relevant cumulative update is installed on all affected SKUs, including Server Core deployments.

Workarounds

• No vendor-supplied workaround is available; patching is the required remediation.
• Reduce exposure by enforcing least-privilege access and removing local logon rights for non-essential accounts.
• Enable application control policies such as Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker to block unauthorized binaries from executing on endpoints.

# Verify the relevant cumulative update is installed (example)
wmic qfe list brief /format:table

# PowerShell alternative
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object -Property InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 20