CVE-2024-38053: Windows 10 1507 Layer-2 Bridge RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-38053 Overview

CVE-2024-38053 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the Windows Layer-2 Bridge Network Driver. The flaw is a use-after-free condition ([CWE-416]) that attackers can trigger from an adjacent network position without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation grants high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected host. Microsoft published the advisory on July 9, 2024, covering supported versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server from Server 2012 through Server 2022 23H2. The vulnerability received a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 and carries an EPSS probability of 1.147% (63.8th percentile).

Critical Impact
An unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network segment can execute arbitrary code on the target host by triggering a use-after-free in the Layer-2 Bridge driver.

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

2024-07-09 - CVE-2024-38053 published to NVD and Microsoft releases security update
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38053

Vulnerability Analysis

The defect resides in the Windows Layer-2 Bridge Network Driver, which forwards frames between network interfaces at the data-link layer. The driver mishandles the lifecycle of an internal object during frame processing, leaving a dangling pointer that later code paths dereference. This is classified as a use-after-free ([CWE-416]).

When an attacker delivers crafted Layer-2 frames to a host that has the bridge component enabled, the driver frees an object while another code path still holds a reference. Reuse of that memory allows the attacker to influence control-flow or data structures inside kernel-mode memory. Because the affected code runs in kernel context, successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with SYSTEM privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management inside the Layer-2 Bridge driver. Concurrent processing paths do not correctly coordinate reference counts or free operations, so an object can be released while still reachable through another pointer. Subsequent access to that freed memory produces the exploitable condition.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires adjacent-network access, meaning the attacker must be on the same broadcast domain or link-layer segment as the victim. No authentication or user interaction is required. The attacker sends specially crafted Layer-2 traffic that reaches the bridge driver's processing routines, triggering the use-after-free. Only hosts running the Layer-2 bridging component are exposed. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported. Consult the Microsoft CVE-2024-38053 Advisory for authoritative technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38053

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected kernel bugchecks or stop errors referencing the Layer-2 Bridge driver on hosts where bridging is enabled.
Anomalous Layer-2 frames from unknown MAC addresses on network segments that terminate at Windows hosts with bridged interfaces.
New or unexplained processes running with SYSTEM privileges following bursts of malformed link-layer traffic.

Detection Strategies

Monitor Windows Event Log for driver faults and kernel crashes involving networking components on bridged hosts.
Baseline which endpoints have Layer-2 bridging enabled, and alert on unexpected configuration changes that enable the feature.
Use network sensors capable of inspecting non-IP Layer-2 traffic to identify malformed or unusual frame patterns on segments containing Windows bridges.

Monitoring Recommendations

Track patch compliance for the July 2024 Microsoft security updates across all Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems.
Alert on hosts where the Microsoft LLDP Protocol Driver or bridge-related services start unexpectedly.
Correlate endpoint telemetry with switch-port and NAC logs to identify unauthorized devices on adjacent network segments.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38053

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the July 2024 Microsoft security updates to all affected Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems.
Inventory hosts with Layer-2 bridging enabled and prioritize them for immediate patching.
Restrict adjacent-network access by segmenting sensitive Windows hosts onto isolated VLANs with strict port security.

Patch Information

Microsoft released fixes for CVE-2024-38053 on July 9, 2024. Refer to the Microsoft CVE-2024-38053 Advisory for the specific KB articles and cumulative updates that apply to each Windows build.

Workarounds

Disable the Layer-2 Bridge feature on hosts that do not require it until patches can be deployed.
Enforce 802.1X port authentication and DHCP snooping to reduce the pool of attackers with adjacent-network reachability.
Isolate legacy or unpatched hosts on dedicated management VLANs with no untrusted device connectivity.

bash

# Check whether a Layer-2 network bridge is configured on a Windows host
Get-NetAdapterBinding -ComponentID ms_bridge

# Remove an existing network bridge (run as Administrator)
Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object { $_.InterfaceDescription -like '*Bridge*' } | Remove-NetAdapter -Confirm:$false