External risk intelligence

Windows Elevation Of Privilege Vulnerability In Power Dependency Coordinator.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2024-38107

This vulnerability affects a core Windows system component, the Power Dependency Coordinator. Exploitation requires local access to the system to execute code, as it is not a network-reachable service or internet-facing application. Therefore, it is categorized as a local-only attack surface.

Use After Free

Microsoft Windows 10 1507

before 10.0.10240.20751before 10.0.14393.7259before 10.0.17763.6189before 10.0.19044.4780before 10.0.19045.4780before 10.0.22000.3147before 10.0.22621.4037before 10.0.22631.4037befo...

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Certain versions of Microsoft Windows are affected by a vulnerability within the Power Dependency Coordinator. This flaw allows an attacker with local access to elevate their privileges. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, system modification, and disruption of services.

Windows operating system component
Local privilege elevation
Unauthorized system access

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability impacts Microsoft Windows systems by allowing an attacker with local access to elevate their privileges to the SYSTEM level. Attackers can leverage this by first gaining access to a vulnerable system and then executing malicious code. This action allows the attacker to gain the highest level of control over the affected system.

Local access required for exposure.
Attacker executes code locally.
Results in SYSTEM-level control.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a significant risk due to its potential for privilege escalation, allowing a local attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access. The exploitability is considered low, requiring only local access and low privileges, with no user interaction needed. The damage could be severe, granting an attacker complete control over the affected machine, which could lead to data compromise or further system manipulation. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating a high level of urgency for affected organizations.

Likely attacker skill level: Low.
Required access or conditions: Local access required.
Business risk or urgency: High urgency; actively exploited.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in the Windows Power Dependency Coordinator could allow an attacker with local access to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, potentially impacting system integrity and data confidentiality. Organizations should take immediate steps to identify and mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

Find affected Windows assets.
Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
Apply the vendor fix.
Validate the fix.
Monitor for related issues.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Windows Power Dependency Coordinator and its role in the operating system?

The Windows Power Dependency Coordinator is a critical component of the Windows operating system responsible for managing power-related functions. It ensures that power settings and operations within Windows function correctly and efficiently for optimal performance and energy conservation.

What is CVE-2024-38107, and what type of weakness does it represent?

CVE-2024-38107 is a vulnerability in the Windows Power Dependency Coordinator. It is classified as a use-after-free weakness, which can allow an attacker to manipulate memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution and privilege escalation.

How does an attacker exploit CVE-2024-38107 to gain elevated privileges?

Exploiting CVE-2024-38107 requires an attacker to have local access to a vulnerable system. Once local access is gained, the attacker can execute malicious code, leveraging the use-after-free vulnerability to elevate their privileges to the SYSTEM level, granting them complete control over the affected machine.

What is the relevance of CVE-2024-38107, and why is it a concern?

CVE-2024-38107 is a significant concern due to its potential for privilege escalation, allowing a local attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access. This could lead to severe consequences such as data compromise, unauthorized system modifications, and disruption of services. Its inclusion in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog indicates a high urgency for remediation.

What steps should organizations take to address the CVE-2024-38107 vulnerability?

Organizations should promptly identify all affected Windows assets, reduce exposure by isolating risks where possible, and apply the vendor-provided fixes. Validating the successful application of these fixes and monitoring for any related security incidents are also crucial steps in mitigating this vulnerability.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.