Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVE-2024-21338)

Microsoft released a Security Advisory disclosing a new vulnerability impacting Windows Kernel (CVE-2024-21338).  The vulnerability enables an authenticated threat actor to gain SYSTEM privileges and is actively exploited by the advanced persistent threat (APT) actor, Lazarus.

Departments or users are urged to update their Windows systems as soon as possible.

Vulnerability

• Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVE-2024-21338)

Severity Level

• High

Affected Products

• Windows Servers:
  • Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation)
  • Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows Server 20192022
• Windows Clients:
  • Windows 11 version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 11 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems

Remediation

• Update Microsoft’s latest patch for affected Windows systems ASAP.

Reference

• CVE-2024-21338 – Security Update Guide – Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (Microsoft)
• NVD – CVE-2024-21338 (nist.gov)
• Microsoft Monthly Security Update (February 2024) (hkcert.org)
• Lazarus Hackers Exploited Windows Kernel Flaw as Zero-Day in Recent Attacks (thehackernews.com)
• Lazarus hackers exploited Windows zero-day to gain Kernel privileges (bleepingcomputer.com)

Enquiry

• ITSC Service Desk: http://servicedesk.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk

Published on: 01 Mar 2024