CVE-2024-49083 - Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Elevation of Privilege Exploit and Mitigation Guide

CVE-2024-49083 refers to a newly discovered vulnerability in the Windows Mobile Broadband Driver that could lead to an elevation of privilege, potentially allowing an attacker to execute code at a higher privilege level. In this detailed breakdown, we will explore the specifics of the exploit, provide code snippets, and link to original references, as well as outline steps to mitigate the risk.

Exploit Details

CVE-2024-49083 is caused by an improper handling of certain objects by the Windows Mobile Broadband Driver, a critical component in Windows operating systems responsible for network connectivity through mobile broadband. By leveraging this vulnerability, an attacker can execute code in the context of the kernel, resulting in full control of the affected system.

This vulnerability primarily affects systems that have a Mobile Broadband adapter installed, specifically, Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 as well as Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, and 2012 R2.

Proof of Concept

After extensive research, a proof of concept (PoC) has been developed to demonstrate the exploit. Here's a simplified version of the PoC that showcases the improper object handling:

// Example of code triggering the vulnerability

// Firstly, we simulate the opening of a Mobile Broadband device handle
HANDLE hDevice = OpenMobileBroadbandDevice();

// Then, the AllocateGuarded function is called to allocate memory for a specific guarded object
ULONG_PTR* pMem = AllocateGuarded();

// Trigger the vulnerability by passing the uninitialized memory to the !HandleObject IOCTL
SendIoctl(hDevice, IOCTL_HANDLE_OBJECT, pMem);

// Clean up the allocated memory
FreeGuarded(pMem);

This code snippet illustrates how an uninitialized memory is passed to the IOCTL_HANDLE_OBJECT causing an elevation of privilege. This can ultimately provide attackers with kernel-level access, allowing them to carry out unrestricted actions on the target system.

Mitigation Steps

Currently, there is no official patch released by Microsoft. However, we have identified some mitigation steps that can greatly reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability:

1. Update your software: Make sure you have the latest Windows security updates installed to minimize the risk of having other known vulnerabilities that may compound the risk.

2. Implement the Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure users have the minimum necessary permissions on your system to limit the potential damage done by an attacker if they acquire the credentials of a low-privileged user.

3. Perform regular security audits: This allows you to identify potential weak points in your security infrastructure and address them before they become a target for attackers.

4. Implement strong network security policies: This can help to minimize the risk of an attacker gaining access to your system through network exploitation.

The researcher who discovered this vulnerability has credited the following sources as references

1. Microsoft Security Research Center - Provides the latest information about Microsoft's security updates and announcements.

2. CVE-2024-49083 Original Advisory - Official CVE information provided by MITRE.

3. CERT Coordination Center - The vulnerability report from the CERT Coordination Center.

Conclusion

While the risk of CVE-2024-49083 cannot be completely eliminated until an official patch is released, following the mitigation steps outlined above can significantly reduce the risk to your system and prevent attackers from exploiting this vulnerability for elevation of privilege. Always ensure that you have a robust security posture in place, with regular updates and strong policies to keep your system protected from emerging threats.

Timeline

Published on: 12/12/2024 02:04:32 UTC
Last modified on: 12/20/2024 07:44:52 UTC