CVE-2024-49103 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
Windows Wireless Wide Area Network Service (WwanSvc) Information Disclosure Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
This vulnerability resides within the Windows Wireless Wide Area Network service which handles connectivity for cellular data connections through mobile broadband devices. The flaw allows unauthorized information disclosure when the WwanSvc component improperly handles certain API calls related to network status and connection parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive data about active network connections including signal strength metrics, carrier information, and device identification details that should remain protected within system boundaries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the service's communication interfaces, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness in information disclosure where sensitive data is exposed without proper authorization controls. The security implications extend beyond simple data leakage as this information can aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated targeting strategies for mobile device exploitation and network reconnaissance activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the WwanSvc service processes specific registry queries or API invocations that return unfiltered connection metadata to unauthorized processes. This flaw exists because the service lacks proper authentication checks before exposing sensitive network parameters through its Windows Management Instrumentation interfaces. The operational impact is significant as adversaries can leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about mobile device deployments, identify vulnerable carrier networks, and map out cellular connectivity patterns within target organizations. This information disclosure capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery and T1592 for threat actor reconnaissance activities. Organizations using Windows systems with mobile broadband capabilities face elevated risk since the vulnerability affects core networking services that operate with elevated privileges and maintain persistent connections to cellular networks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls through Windows security policies and registry modifications that restrict unauthorized access to WwanSvc interfaces. System administrators must ensure that only authorized processes can query network status information through proper authentication mechanisms and privilege separation. Regular patch management remains critical as Microsoft has addressed this vulnerability through security updates that enforce stricter access controls within the wireless networking service. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous queries to mobile network interfaces, while endpoint detection and response tools can identify suspicious API calls targeting the vulnerable service components. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary mobile broadband functionality on systems where it is not required, reducing the attack surface available for exploitation of this information disclosure weakness. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign system services can become entry points for broader reconnaissance and data exfiltration operations when proper security boundaries are not enforced.