CVE-2025-24995 Overview
CVE-2025-24995 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver. The flaw allows an authorized local attacker to corrupt kernel heap memory and elevate privileges on the affected system. Microsoft addressed the issue as part of its March 2025 security update cycle. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows client and server releases, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions from 2016 through 2025. The weakness is classified under [CWE-122: Heap-based Buffer Overflow].
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants SYSTEM-level privileges on the local host, enabling full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Microsoft Windows 10 (1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
- Microsoft Windows 11 (22H2, 23H2, 24H2)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2, and 2025
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-24995 published to NVD
- 2025-03-11 - Microsoft releases security patch via the Microsoft CVE-2025-24995 Advisory
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24995
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver, a Windows kernel-mode component that translates 32-bit (WOW64) kernel streaming requests for execution against the native 64-bit kernel streaming subsystem. A heap-based buffer overflow occurs when the driver processes attacker-controlled input without correctly validating buffer size boundaries. Writing beyond the allocated kernel pool region corrupts adjacent memory structures. An authenticated local attacker can leverage this corruption to overwrite kernel objects and hijack execution flow.
Successful exploitation runs attacker code in kernel context, yielding SYSTEM privileges from a low-privileged user account. This class of driver flaw is commonly weaponized as a second-stage capability after initial access via phishing, drive-by download, or a foothold in a low-privileged service.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of the size or layout of data passed across the WOW64 thunking layer into the kernel streaming driver. When 32-bit user-mode requests are marshaled into 64-bit kernel structures, insufficient bounds checking allows an oversized or malformed request to write past the end of a heap-allocated kernel buffer.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access and a valid user session on the target host. The attacker issues crafted IOCTL or API calls against the Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver from user mode. No user interaction is required beyond running the exploit binary. Because the vulnerability lives in a kernel driver present by default on all supported Windows editions, the attack surface spans the full Windows fleet.
No public proof-of-concept exploit or CISA KEV listing has been recorded for CVE-2025-24995 at the time of writing. Refer to the Microsoft CVE-2025-24995 Advisory for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24995
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected loading or interaction with the Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver by non-media or non-audio processes.
- Bugchecks or kernel-mode crashes referencing kernel streaming components, which can indicate failed exploit attempts.
- Sudden token or integrity-level changes on user processes resulting in SYSTEM context without a documented service start.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for processes that open handles to kernel streaming device objects and immediately spawn elevated child processes.
- Correlate low-privileged process activity with subsequent access to SYSTEM-protected resources such as lsass.exe memory or HKLM\SECURITY.
- Alert on newly registered services, scheduled tasks, or drivers created moments after suspicious IOCTL activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows kernel auditing (Audit Kernel Object, Audit Sensitive Privilege Use) and forward to a centralized SIEM.
- Monitor Event ID 1001 (Windows Error Reporting) and Event ID 41 (Kernel-Power) for repeated kernel faults on the same host.
- Track EDR telemetry for token manipulation, parent-child process anomalies, and privilege escalation patterns.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24995
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the March 2025 Microsoft security updates to every affected Windows client and server immediately.
- Prioritize patching on multi-user hosts, jump servers, and Remote Desktop Session Hosts where local access is broadly available.
- Audit local user and service account privileges and remove unnecessary interactive logon rights.
Patch Information
Microsoft published fixes for CVE-2025-24995 on March 11, 2025. Consult the Microsoft CVE-2025-24995 Advisory for the KB article and cumulative update numbers that correspond to each affected build.
Workarounds
- No official workaround has been published by Microsoft; patching is the required remediation.
- Restrict local logon and code execution to trusted users on high-value hosts as a compensating control until patches are deployed.
- Enforce application allowlisting (for example, Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker) to limit execution of unsigned exploit binaries.
# Verify the March 2025 cumulative update is installed on Windows
Get-HotFix | Where-Object { $_.InstalledOn -ge (Get-Date '2025-03-11') } | Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending
# List installed updates and confirm the KB corresponding to your Windows build
wmic qfe list brief /format:table
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
