CVE-2024-43573: Windows MSHTML Platform XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-43573 Overview

The Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing Vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-43573, represents a critical security issue affecting multiple Windows platforms. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through a spoofing technique in the MSHTML component, impacting a broad range of Windows operating systems.

Critical Impact
This vulnerability poses a high risk of unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising system integrity and confidentiality.

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows 10 versions (1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
Microsoft Windows 11 versions (21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2)
Microsoft Windows Server versions (2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2)

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-08 - CVE-2024-43573 published to NVD
2025-10-30 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-43573

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability classifies as a spoofing issue within the MSHTML platform. Attackers can leverage specially crafted HTML content to deceive the MSHTML parser, resulting in unauthorized actions such as arbitrary code execution.

Root Cause

The underlying cause is an improper handling of untrusted HTML inputs by the MSHTML engine, which fails to sanitize certain elements maliciously crafted.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring user interaction to access a malicious site or open a crafted email.

javascript

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
var maliciousElement = document.createElement('iframe');
maliciousElement.src = 'http://malicious.example.com';
document.body.appendChild(maliciousElement);

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-43573

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual network traffic to suspicious domains
Presence of unexpected iframe elements in documents
Execution of unknown processes spawned from browser instances

Detection Strategies

Utilize behavioral analysis to detect anomalies in HTML processing. Network traffic monitoring can identify connections to known malicious domains and patterns indicative of spoofing attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Implement monitoring for excessive iframe creation and irregularities in HTML parsing logs. SentinelOne solutions provide real-time alerting and automated response to these indicators, effectively mitigating exploitation attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-43573

Immediate Actions Required

Update Windows to the latest version
Apply patches as released by Microsoft
Educate users on recognizing potential phishing attempts

Patch Information

Official patches are available in the Microsoft Security Response Center, addressing the input validation flaws in MSHTML. Consult the Microsoft Advisory for detailed patch deployment guidance.

Workarounds

Enable strict browsing policies and ensure all email attachments and URLs are scanned using advanced anti-virus and anti-exploit solutions. Utilizing the application whitelisting capabilities of SentinelOne can further limit exposure.

bash

# Configuration example
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools
$IE = New-Object -com "InternetExplorer.Application"
$IE.Visible = $true