CVE-2024-38029 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2024
Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows contains a remote code execution vulnerability that arises from improper input validation in the SSH server implementation. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems by exploiting a buffer overread condition during SSH key exchange operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the OpenSSH server component running on Windows platforms and represents a critical security risk that could enable full system compromise. The issue stems from insufficient bounds checking when processing certain SSH protocol messages, particularly those related to key exchange mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by establishing an SSH connection to the target system and sending specially crafted protocol data that triggers the buffer overread condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the SSH service account.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2024-38029 follows the ATT&CK technique T1021.004 for remote services and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions. The flaw manifests when the OpenSSH server processes SSH protocol messages containing malformed key exchange data, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability affects Microsoft OpenSSH versions prior to the patched releases, with the specific impacted versions including those from the 9.0.x series through 9.3.x releases. Attackers typically exploit this by initiating an SSH connection and sending crafted key exchange parameters that cause the server to read beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running Microsoft OpenSSH servers on Windows systems face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established by attackers. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from any location with network access to the affected SSH service, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to the internet. Additionally, the privilege escalation potential varies based on the SSH service account configuration, with possible outcomes ranging from user-level compromise to SYSTEM-level access depending on the service account privileges. This vulnerability can also facilitate more sophisticated attack chains including privilege escalation, credential theft, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-38029 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Microsoft OpenSSH installations through official Microsoft security updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of SSH services to trusted networks only, and consider disabling SSH access for unnecessary systems. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual SSH connection patterns and protocol anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege for SSH service accounts can limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include enabling SSH key-based authentication only, disabling password authentication, and implementing strict firewall rules that restrict SSH access to known good IP addresses. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of Microsoft OpenSSH across their network infrastructure and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.