Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-49079 is a high-impact Windows IME vulnerability that could let an attacker run code after user interaction. It affects many Windows client and server versions. The source data shows Microsoft has published a fix, but does not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize normal high-severity patching. Escalate for systems used by administrators, remote desktop users, or exposed user-facing workflows. There is no provided evidence of active exploitation, so this is urgent but not emergency-level from the supplied sources.
Technical view
Microsoft rates this as CVSS 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. The weakness is CWE-416, use-after-free, in Windows Input Method Editor, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely wherever affected Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server versions are still missing the Microsoft update. Workstations, VDI, remote desktops, and admin endpoints should be checked first because the flaw requires user interaction.
Exploitation context
The provided evidence does not show known exploitation or KEV listing. Exploitation is not described as network-reachable; the CVSS vector indicates local access plus user interaction. Treat public technical details as incomplete.
Researcher notes
The key constraints are AV:L and UI:R despite the remote-code-execution title. Do not model this as unauthenticated network RCE without further vendor evidence. The bundle provides affected versions, CWE-416, CVSS, and patch availability, but not exploit mechanics.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2024-49079.
- Prioritize affected Windows endpoints and administrative workstations.
- Check MSRC for exact update applicability by OS version.
- Confirm older server versions remain in a serviced patch channel.
- Use endpoint management to enforce update compliance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows versions against the affected product list.
- Verify the relevant Microsoft update is installed.
- Review patch compliance reports for failed or deferred installs.
- Check high-risk endpoint groups separately from general workstations.
- Monitor Microsoft advisory updates for revised guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2024-49079 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9microsoftVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Input Method Editor (IME) Remote Code Execution VulnerabilityCVE reference, microsoft · vendor-advisory, patch
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.