Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Windows privilege-escalation flaw in the Common Log File System driver. An attacker who already has local low-privileged access could use it to gain much stronger control over the machine. CISA lists it as known exploited, so patching should be treated as urgent.
Executive priority
High priority. This is not a remote entry-point bug, but it is actively exploited and can turn a limited Windows foothold into broader machine compromise. Patch quickly across endpoint and server fleets.
Technical view
CVE-2024-49138 is a CLFS driver elevation-of-privilege vulnerability, classified as CWE-122. Microsoft rates it CVSS 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely in Windows fleets running the listed Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions, especially unmanaged endpoints, legacy servers, and systems missing December 2024 or later Microsoft security updates.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by the CISA KEV listing. The bundle also cites public Exploit-DB and Packet Storm references, but it does not provide verified targeting details, exploitation volume, or affected-sector evidence.
Researcher notes
The source bundle supports active exploitation through CISA KEV and public exploit references, but does not include exploit mechanics, indicators of compromise, or campaign attribution. Treat as a local post-compromise escalation path.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft security updates for CVE-2024-49138 from the MSRC advisory.
- Prioritize internet-facing support systems, admin workstations, and shared Windows servers.
- Accelerate remediation for legacy Windows Server 2008 through 2016 assets.
- Limit local user privileges while patch deployment is completed.
- Review Microsoft guidance for any version-specific update prerequisites.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows hosts against the affected product and version list.
- Confirm the relevant Microsoft security update is installed on each exposed asset.
- Check vulnerability scanner results specifically for CVE-2024-49138.
- Review EDR alerts for suspicious local privilege-escalation behavior.
- Track CISA KEV remediation status for regulated or federal environments.
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-122: 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 lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2024-49138 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
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/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.
CISA KEV status
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:L/UI:N/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:L/UI:N/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.
- Added to KEVCISA-ADP
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities metadata lists this CVE as known exploited.
- ADP timelineCISA-ADP
CVE-2024-49138 added to CISA KEV
- 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
- 2024-12-10T00:00:00.000Z: CVE-2024-49138 added to CISA KEV
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege VulnerabilityCVE reference, microsoft · vendor-advisory, patch
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-49138CVE reference, CISA-ADP · government-resource
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52270CVE reference, CVE
- https://packetstorm.news/files/id/190585/CVE reference, CVE
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.
Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Heap-based Buffer Overflow represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.