CVE-2024-38106: Windows 10 1507 Kernel EoP Vulnerability

CVE-2024-38106 Overview

CVE-2024-38106 is a Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege vulnerability that allows local attackers to escalate their privileges on affected Windows systems. This vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild and is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, making immediate patching critical for all organizations running affected Windows versions.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables attackers with local access and low privileges to elevate to SYSTEM-level access on Windows systems. Active exploitation has been confirmed in the wild, and organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
• Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2022 23H2

Discovery Timeline

• August 13, 2024 - CVE-2024-38106 published to NVD
• October 28, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38106

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-38106 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows kernel that stems from improper handling of sensitive data stored in improperly locked memory (CWE-591). The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges to exploit, though the attack complexity is high due to the need to win a race condition.

When successfully exploited, an attacker can gain complete control over the affected system with SYSTEM-level privileges. This allows for complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the target system. The local attack vector means an attacker would need prior access to the target system, either through physical access, remote desktop, or via another exploit that provides initial code execution capabilities.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is classified under CWE-591 (Sensitive Data Storage in Improperly Locked Memory). The Windows kernel fails to properly lock memory containing sensitive data during certain operations, creating a window where an attacker can manipulate the data before it is processed. This improper memory handling allows attackers to exploit a race condition to elevate privileges.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the target system with low-level user privileges. The attacker must exploit a race condition in the Windows kernel, which involves precise timing to manipulate sensitive data in improperly locked memory during kernel operations. Although the attack complexity is high due to the race condition requirement, the vulnerability has been successfully exploited in real-world attacks.

The exploitation process typically involves:

1. Gaining initial access to the target system with low-privileged credentials
2. Triggering the vulnerable kernel code path
3. Winning the race condition to manipulate memory contents
4. Achieving SYSTEM-level privilege escalation

Due to the sensitive nature of this actively exploited vulnerability, specific exploitation code is not provided. For technical details, refer to the Microsoft Security Update Guide.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38106

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected SYSTEM-level process spawned from low-privileged user sessions
• Anomalous kernel memory access patterns indicating race condition exploitation attempts
• Suspicious process behavior including rapid privilege escalation sequences
• Unusual parent-child process relationships where low-privilege processes spawn high-privilege children

Detection Strategies

• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring kernel-level activities and privilege escalation attempts
• Implement behavioral analysis rules to detect race condition exploitation patterns in kernel operations
• Monitor for unusual system call sequences that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Enable Windows Event Log auditing for privilege use and process creation events (Event IDs 4672, 4688)

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure Windows Security Event Log to capture detailed process creation events with command-line logging
• Implement real-time monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation patterns using SentinelOne's behavioral AI engine
• Establish baseline kernel activity patterns to identify anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation
• Monitor for exploitation attempts using SentinelOne Singularity Platform's kernel-level visibility

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38106

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the Microsoft security update released in August 2024 immediately on all affected Windows systems
• Prioritize patching internet-facing systems and critical infrastructure
• Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs
• Review user access privileges and implement least-privilege principles

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability as part of the August 2024 Patch Tuesday release. Organizations should apply the relevant cumulative update for their Windows version immediately. Detailed patch information and download links are available in the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2024-38106.

Given the active exploitation status and CISA KEV listing, patching should be treated as an emergency priority.

Workarounds

• Limit local access to systems by restricting interactive logon rights to only necessary users
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution that could be used to trigger the vulnerability
• Enable Credential Guard and other Windows virtualization-based security features where supported
• Deploy network-level controls to limit access to potentially compromised systems

# Verify patch installation status on Windows systems
# Run in PowerShell as Administrator
Get-HotFix | Where-Object {$_.InstalledOn -gt "2024-08-01"} | Select-Object HotFixID, InstalledOn, Description

# Check Windows Update installation history
wmic qfe list brief /format:table

# Verify system is running patched kernel version
[System.Environment]::OSVersion.Version