CVE-2024-49111 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
Wireless Wide Area Network Service (WwanSvc) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2026
The Wireless Wide Area Network Service (WwanSvc) represents a critical elevation of privilege vulnerability that affects Windows operating systems, particularly those running the WWAN service component. This vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the WwanSvc executable which allows local attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level access. The flaw exists in the service's handling of inter-process communication and privilege management mechanisms, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to gain unauthorized administrative access to affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the WWAN service running with elevated privileges while failing to properly validate incoming requests or enforce proper access controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that interact with the WwanSvc through its exposed interfaces, potentially triggering privilege escalation through malformed service calls or improper privilege checking routines. The vulnerability manifests when the service processes requests from untrusted sources without adequate validation, allowing attackers to manipulate service behavior and execute code with SYSTEM privileges. This represents a classic privilege escalation flaw where service components operate with excessive permissions beyond their required functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once escalated to SYSTEM level, adversaries can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access all user data, and potentially establish lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions where the WWAN service is enabled, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where wireless connectivity is commonly utilized. Security researchers have identified this issue as a significant threat vector in zero-day exploitation campaigns, as it requires no user interaction for exploitation and can be leveraged for persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability encompass multiple layers of defensive measures including immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, service hardening through restricted access controls, and network segmentation to limit exposure. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege by disabling unnecessary WWAN service functionality and monitoring service access patterns for anomalous behavior. System administrators should also consider disabling the WwanSvc if wireless wide area network connectivity is not required in their environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which addresses improper privilege management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through service manipulation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include verification of service permissions and access controls to prevent exploitation of similar privilege escalation vectors.