Memory Corruption Vulnerability in Scripting Engine Could Allow for Code Execution
CVE-2024-38178

7.5HIGH

Key Information:

Vendor
Microsoft
Status
Windows 11 Version 24h2
Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation)
Vendor
CVE Published:
13 August 2024

Badges

📈 Trended📈 Score: 5,070💰 Ransomware👾 Exploit Exists🦅 CISA Reported📰 News Worthy

What is CVE-2024-38178?

CVE-2024-38178 is a critical vulnerability found in Microsoft’s Scripting Engine, which is integral in processing web scripts and automating tasks within various applications. This vulnerability arises from memory corruption issues that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. Organizations utilizing Microsoft products that leverage the Scripting Engine face considerable risks, including unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential control over compromised systems, leading to severe operational disruptions.

Technical Details

The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption flaw within the Scripting Engine utilized by Microsoft products. Memory corruption vulnerabilities typically occur when a program inadvertently overwrites valuable data in memory, leading to unpredictable behavior. In this case, an attacker could exploit this flaw to manipulate the execution flow of a program, effectively allowing them to run their own code on the system without authorization.

Microsoft has acknowledged the seriousness of this issue and has provided references and advisories detailing the exploit and its mitigation. The risk of exploitation is enhanced due to the widespread use of the Scripting Engine in various Microsoft applications.

Impact of the Vulnerability

  1. Remote Code Execution: The primary impact of CVE-2024-38178 is that it enables remote code execution, which could allow cybercriminals to install malware, execute arbitrary commands, or perform other malicious activities on the affected systems.

  2. Data Breach Risk: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data, increasing the likelihood of data breaches and information theft, which can have severe legal and financial repercussions.

  3. Operational Disruption: Once an attacker gains control over an affected system, they could potentially disrupt business operations by deactivating security measures, stealing critical infrastructure data, or deploying ransomware, leading to extensive downtime and recovery costs.

CISA Reported

CISA provides regional cyber and physical services to support security and resilience across the United States. CISA monitor the most dangerious vulnerabilities and have identifed as being exploited but is not known by the CISA to be used in ransomware campaigns. This is subject to change at pace as recent news articles suggest the vulnerability is being used by ransomware groups.

The CISA's recommendation is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Version(s)

Windows 10 Version 1507 32-bit Systems 10.0.10240.0 < 10.0.10240.20751

Windows 10 Version 1607 32-bit Systems 10.0.14393.0 < 10.0.14393.7259

Windows 10 Version 1809 32-bit Systems 10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.6189

News Articles

favicon imageRisky Biz

The Feds secretly disrupted Anonymous Sudan back in March

Iranian hackers sell access to US critical infrastructure; North Korea hacked ad platforms to deploy an IE zero-day; hacker "USDoD" arrested in Brazil.

3 months ago

favicon imageThe Hacker News

North Korean ScarCruft Exploits Windows Zero-Day to Spread RokRAT Malware

ScarCruft exploits a patched Windows zero-day, CVE-2024-38178, infecting devices with RokRAT malware.

3 months ago

favicon imageForbes

New Windows Cyber Attacks Confirmed—CISA Says Update By September 3

The U.S. Cybersecurity Agency has warned that Windows users must update systems before September 3 as multiple new zero-day attacks are confirmed by Microsoft.

5 months ago

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE...
vendor-advisory

EPSS Score

1% chance of being exploited in the next 30 days.

CVSS V3.1

Score:
7.5
Severity:
HIGH
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
High
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
High
Privileges Required:
None
User Interaction:
Required
Scope:
Unchanged

Timeline

  • 📈

    Vulnerability started trending

  • 💰

    Used in Ransomware

  • 📰

    First article discovered by Forbes

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • 🦅

    CISA Reported

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Collectors

NVD DatabaseMitre DatabaseCISA DatabaseMicrosoft Feed3 News Article(s)
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