CVE-2024-38193 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2024
Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
This vulnerability resides within the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock component which serves as a critical system interface for network operations in Windows environments. The flaw represents a privilege escalation opportunity that allows malicious actors to elevate their system privileges from standard user level to administrative rights. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the driver's handling of network socket operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. This issue affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10 and Windows 11 across various architecture types.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer overread condition within the ancillary function driver's processing of network data structures. When the driver receives specially crafted network packets or socket operations, it fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming data buffers, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The flaw specifically manifests in the way the driver handles certain socket option parameters and ancillary data structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical system structures. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read scenarios that can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within Windows systems that can be leveraged for further compromise. Once elevated to administrative privileges, attackers can modify system files, install malware, establish backdoors, and access sensitive data across the entire system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the Windows networking stack, making detection and mitigation more challenging. Network-based attacks can occur without user interaction, as the vulnerability can be triggered through normal network operations, making it a significant threat to enterprise environments where network traffic is common.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application from Microsoft as the primary defense mechanism, since the flaw exists within core Windows system components. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual socket operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced through careful user account management and application whitelisting policies to limit potential damage even if exploitation occurs. Security teams should monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns and implement endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior in kernel-level network operations. Additionally, regular system hardening procedures including disabling unnecessary network services and keeping all system components updated should be maintained to reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and the potential impact of kernel-level flaws on overall system security posture, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and T1566 which addresses initial access through social engineering or network attacks.