CVE-2024-38056 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
Microsoft Windows Codecs Library Information Disclosure Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2024
This vulnerability resides within the Microsoft Windows Codecs Library which handles multimedia file processing across various Windows operating systems. The flaw manifests as an information disclosure issue that occurs when the system processes specially crafted media files through the codec infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious audio or video files that trigger improper memory handling within the codecs library, leading to the exposure of sensitive data from the system's memory space. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows 10 versions 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, 2004, and 20H2, as well as Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022. This issue falls under CWE-200 which categorizes information exposure vulnerabilities in software systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper validation of media file headers and structures within the codecs library. When the system attempts to decode crafted media content, it fails to properly sanitize input data before processing, causing memory contents to be inadvertently exposed through error handling mechanisms or buffer operations. The flaw occurs during the decompression or decoding phases where the code does not adequately protect against heap-based memory exposure scenarios that can occur when malformed media files are processed. This type of vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to information leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure as it can potentially provide attackers with sensitive system information including memory addresses, configuration details, or even partial content from other processes running on the same system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into the target system's memory layout which could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts such as bypassing address space layout randomization or developing more sophisticated attacks. The risk is particularly elevated when users encounter media files through common applications like web browsers, email clients, or media players that rely on Windows codecs for file processing.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application from Microsoft which addresses the root cause through proper input validation and memory handling within the codecs library. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the relevant security updates across all affected Windows systems to prevent exploitation. Additionally, organizations can implement network-based controls such as content filtering solutions that scan media files before delivery to user endpoints. The mitigation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes privilege escalation through local system exploitation and T1566 which covers initial access via spearphishing attachments containing malicious media files. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media processing applications, particularly those that interact directly with the Windows codecs infrastructure.