CVE-2024-38146 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2024
Windows Layer-2 Bridge Network Driver Denial of Service Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2026
This vulnerability resides in the Windows layer-2 bridge network driver component that facilitates network virtualization and bridging operations between virtual and physical network interfaces. The flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered through malformed network packets or improper driver state management during bridge configuration operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the driver's processing routines, allowing attackers to craft specific network traffic patterns that cause the driver to crash or become unresponsive. This represents a critical security issue as it can be exploited remotely without authentication requirements, potentially disrupting network connectivity for affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of network frame processing within the layer-2 bridging functionality. When the driver receives packets that exceed expected size parameters or contain malformed headers, it fails to properly validate these inputs before processing them through the bridge forwarding logic. This leads to memory corruption conditions or infinite loop scenarios that ultimately result in system instability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-125 which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. Attackers can exploit this by sending specially crafted packets that trigger the driver's processing path, causing it to consume excessive resources or enter an error state from which recovery is impossible without manual intervention.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects the fundamental network connectivity capabilities of Windows systems running affected driver versions. When exploited successfully, the denial of service condition can lead to complete network partitioning for the affected machine, preventing communication with other network resources while potentially allowing continued operation of non-network services. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network availability is critical for business operations and system management tasks. The attack surface includes any Windows system that utilizes virtualization features or network bridging capabilities, making it applicable to servers, desktops, and mobile devices running vulnerable versions of the operating system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, which address the underlying driver implementation flaws through proper input validation and memory management improvements. Organizations should also implement network segmentation controls to limit exposure of critical systems to potentially malicious traffic sources while monitoring for anomalous network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary virtualization features on systems where they are not required, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499 which involves network disruption through service availability attacks, and requires defensive measures that align with the principle of least privilege in network communications. System hardening procedures should include regular driver updates, network access control lists, and continuous monitoring for signs of unauthorized network activity or system instability indicators.