CVE-2024-49086 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) represents a critical component within Microsoft Windows operating systems that provides network routing capabilities and remote access services for enterprise environments. This service enables organizations to establish secure connections between remote users and corporate networks through various protocols including Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec). The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49086 specifically targets the remote code execution capabilities within RRAS, creating a significant security risk for organizations that rely on this service for network connectivity and remote access management. The flaw exists within the service's handling of network packets and authentication processes, potentially allowing unauthorized attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with elevated privileges.
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the RRAS service implementation, particularly when processing specific network requests that contain malformed data structures. The technical flaw manifests when the service receives specially crafted network traffic that triggers memory corruption conditions, leading to potential buffer overflows or heap corruption scenarios. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787 which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. The attack vector requires network access to the target system, typically through TCP or UDP ports used by RRAS services, making it exploitable from external networks if the service is exposed without proper firewall protection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials, making it a zero-day threat that can be weaponized by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to enterprise networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-49086 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access within affected networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access, and potentially move laterally throughout the enterprise network. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1133 for External Remote Services and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting how threat actors can use the compromised RRAS service to maintain persistent access and execute malicious commands. Organizations that utilize RRAS for remote access scenarios face the highest risk, particularly those with exposed services or inadequate network segmentation. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments that depend on Windows-based networking infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49086 should include immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, which addresses the input validation flaws in RRAS service handling. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate RRAS services from external networks and restrict access through firewall rules to only trusted IP addresses. The principle of least privilege should be applied by disabling RRAS services on systems that do not require remote access capabilities, and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify crafted packets designed to exploit this vulnerability, as well as conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running RRAS services that may be exposed to attack. Additionally, organizations should develop incident response procedures specifically addressing RRAS compromise scenarios, including system isolation protocols and forensic analysis capabilities to determine the extent of potential compromise. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive network security controls to protect critical infrastructure services.