CVE-2024-49080: Windows 10 1507 RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-49080 Overview

CVE-2024-49080 is a remote code execution vulnerability affecting the Windows IP Routing Management Snapin component across a wide range of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through network-based attacks targeting the IP Routing Management Snapin functionality. The vulnerability is classified as a Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122), indicating that improper handling of memory allocation in the snapin component can lead to memory corruption and subsequent code execution.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation enables remote code execution with the potential for complete system compromise, allowing attackers to achieve full control over affected Windows systems including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
• Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 22H2, 23H2, 24H2)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2, 2025

Discovery Timeline

• December 12, 2024 - CVE-2024-49080 published to NVD
• January 8, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49080

Vulnerability Analysis

This remote code execution vulnerability exists within the Windows IP Routing Management Snapin, a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) component used for configuring and managing IP routing on Windows systems. The underlying weakness is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122), which occurs when the snapin processes specially crafted data that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries in heap memory.

The vulnerability requires low-privileged authentication but can be exploited over the network without user interaction. Once exploited, an attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the affected process, potentially escalating to SYSTEM-level privileges depending on how the snapin is invoked. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) is commonly deployed on Windows Server systems.

Root Cause

The root cause is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in the Windows IP Routing Management Snapin component. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking when processing input data, allowing memory adjacent to allocated buffers on the heap to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. This type of memory corruption can be leveraged to hijack program execution flow.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to have low-privilege access to target the vulnerable snapin component. The attack does not require user interaction, making it suitable for automated exploitation scenarios. An attacker could craft malicious requests that trigger the buffer overflow condition when processed by the IP Routing Management Snapin.

The exploitation flow typically involves:

1. An authenticated attacker sends specially crafted data to a system with the vulnerable component
2. The IP Routing Management Snapin processes the malicious input without proper bounds validation
3. Heap memory corruption occurs, overwriting adjacent memory structures
4. The attacker leverages the corruption to redirect execution to shellcode or return-oriented programming (ROP) chains
5. Arbitrary code execution is achieved with the privileges of the snapin process

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49080

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or restarts of mmc.exe processes, particularly those loading routing-related snapins
• Anomalous network connections originating from management console processes
• Memory access violations logged in Windows Event logs related to routing management components
• Suspicious process spawning from mmc.exe or related routing administration processes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for unusual process behavior associated with mmc.exe loading IP Routing Management Snapin DLLs
• Implement endpoint detection rules for heap spray patterns and suspicious memory allocation sequences
• Deploy network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns targeting routing management interfaces
• Enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard to detect heap overflow exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable advanced audit logging for process creation and network connections on servers running RRAS
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate MMC snapin loading events with subsequent suspicious activities
• Monitor for exploitation attempts using SentinelOne's behavioral AI detection capabilities
• Review Windows Security Event logs for authentication attempts followed by management console activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49080

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the December 2024 Microsoft security updates to all affected Windows systems immediately
• Restrict network access to management interfaces and administrative tools where possible
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running routing services
• Review and audit user accounts with permissions to access routing management functionality

Patch Information

Microsoft has released security updates addressing CVE-2024-49080 as part of the December 2024 Patch Tuesday release. Organizations should consult the Microsoft Security Update Guide for CVE-2024-49080 for specific patch information and download links for each affected Windows version. Patches are available for all supported Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server editions from 2008 through 2025.

Workarounds

• Limit access to the IP Routing Management Snapin to only essential administrative personnel
• Consider disabling the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) on systems where it is not required
• Implement strict network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to management interfaces
• Use Windows Firewall rules to restrict inbound connections to routing management services

# Disable Routing and Remote Access Service if not required
sc config RemoteAccess start= disabled
net stop RemoteAccess

# Verify service is stopped and disabled
sc query RemoteAccess