CVE-2024-38054 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
This vulnerability resides within the kernel streaming wow thunk service driver component of microsoft windows operating systems, representing a critical elevation of privilege flaw that allows attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability specifically affects the interaction between 32-bit and 64-bit subsystems through the windows on windows wow architecture, where the kernel streaming service fails to properly validate input parameters when processing requests from user-mode applications. This flaw enables malicious code to manipulate kernel memory structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, bypassing standard security mechanisms including user access control and code integrity checks. The technical implementation involves improper handling of memory management operations within the wow thunk layer, where kernel-mode drivers accept unvalidated data from user-mode processes without adequate boundary checks or privilege validation. This vulnerability directly maps to cwe-121 stack-based buffer overflow and cwe-787 out-of-bounds write conditions, as described in the common weakness enumeration catalog, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory locations. The operational impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, persistent backdoor installation, and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including malicious office documents, web-based exploits, or compromised software installations that trigger the vulnerable kernel driver path. The attack pattern aligns with the attack technique t1068 privilege escalation and t1059 command and scripting interpreter within the mitre att&ck framework, where adversaries establish persistent access through kernel-level modifications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including windows updates and security patches, disable unnecessary kernel streaming services, and deploy advanced endpoint protection solutions with kernel-mode monitoring capabilities. Additionally, system administrators should enforce strict privilege separation, implement application whitelisting policies, and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex kernel-mode subsystems and highlights the importance of thorough security testing for inter-process communication mechanisms. Regular monitoring of kernel-mode driver activity and anomalous system behavior can help detect exploitation attempts, while maintaining current security patches ensures protection against known vulnerabilities. This class of vulnerability represents a fundamental security weakness in windows kernel architecture that requires both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues from emerging in future system versions.