he recent months have seen several critical vulnerabilities emerge, especially within Microsoft’s suite of products, demanding urgent attention from cybersecurity professionals. Here’s a detailed breakdown of some significant vulnerabilities reported in July and August 2024:
Critical Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Products
- Windows Remote Desktop Licensing Service:
- CVE-2024-38074, CVE-2024-38076, CVE-2024-38077: These are critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities with a CVSS score of 9.8 each. They allow unauthenticated attackers to connect to a Remote Desktop Licensing Service and send specially crafted packets, potentially leading to remote code execution. It’s crucial to prioritize patching these vulnerabilities (CrowdStrike) (Qualys Security Blog).
- Windows Imaging Component:
- CVE-2024-38060: This critical RCE vulnerability (CVSS score 8.8) can be exploited by an authenticated attacker uploading a malicious TIFF file, leading to remote code execution (CrowdStrike).
- Microsoft SharePoint Server:
- CVE-2024-38023: This RCE vulnerability (CVSS score 7.2) allows an attacker with “Site Owner” permissions to execute arbitrary code on the SharePoint server, affecting other sites (CrowdStrike) (Qualys Security Blog).
- Microsoft Office:
- CVE-2024-38020, CVE-2024-38021: These vulnerabilities affect Microsoft Office, leading to remote code execution and spoofing vulnerabilities. They have a high base CVSS score of 9.4 and require immediate attention to prevent exploitation (Qualys) (Qualys Security Blog).
Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities
- Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver:
- CVE-2024-38054, CVE-2024-38052: These vulnerabilities allow attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges upon successful exploitation (Qualys Security Blog).
- Win32k and Windows Graphics Component:
- CVE-2024-38059, CVE-2024-38066, CVE-2024-38079: These vulnerabilities can allow attackers to gain SYSTEM or administrator privileges, making them highly critical (Qualys Security Blog).
Other Notable Vulnerabilities
- Microsoft Outlook:
- CVE-2024-38020: A remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited via a specially crafted link to bypass the Protected View Protocol (Qualys Security Blog).
- Windows File Explorer:
- CVE-2024-38100: This vulnerability allows an attacker to gain administrator privileges through exploitation (Qualys Security Blog).
Importance of Regular Patching and Mitigation
It is essential to prioritize patching these vulnerabilities to protect your systems from potential exploits. In some cases, where patches are not immediately available, implementing mitigation strategies and compensatory controls is recommended. Regular updates to your patch management strategy and continuous monitoring of vulnerability disclosures are vital for maintaining robust cybersecurity defenses.
For more detailed information on these vulnerabilities and patching strategies, you can refer to the official reports and recommendations from CrowdStrike and Qualys (CrowdStrike) (Qualys) (Qualys Security Blog).
By staying informed and proactive, you can significantly reduce the risk posed by these critical vulnerabilities and protect your organization’s digital asset
