Microsoft has recently disclosed a critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in its Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) service, identified as CVE-2024-49112 Released as part of the December Patch Tuesday updates, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise networks by allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the LDAP service.
Overview of CVE-2024-49112
- Description: CVE-2024-49112 is an RCE vulnerability affecting the LDAP service in various Windows operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server editions. The flaw arises from improper handling of LDAP requests, which can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems.
- Affected Versions: The vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and various Windows Server editions.
- CVSS Score: 9.8
Exploitation and Impact
Attackers can exploit CVE-2024-49112 by sending specially crafted LDAP requests to the server, leading to remote code execution. This allows attackers to run arbitrary code, exfiltrate sensitive data, or compromise entire systems. The severity of this vulnerability is heightened by the fact that it does not require authentication, meaning attackers can exploit it without needing to authenticate themselves.
Additional Vulnerabilities
Alongside CVE-2024-49112, Microsoft has disclosed two other vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-49124 and CVE-2024-49127, both with CVSS scores of 8.1. When combined with CVE-2024-49112, these vulnerabilities can lead to privilege escalation, granting attackers SYSTEM-level access and significantly increasing the risk to enterprise environments.
Mitigation Steps
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-49112, Microsoft strongly advises organizations to:
- Apply Security Patches: Install the security updates released as part of Microsoft’s December Patch Tuesday to address CVE-2024-49112 and related vulnerabilities.
- Restrict Access to Domain Controllers: Configure Domain Controllers to avoid internet exposure and restrict inbound Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) from untrusted networks.
- Monitor for Unusual LDAP Activity: Implement enhanced monitoring to detect anomalous LDAP requests that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Conclusion
CVE-2024-49112 poses a significant threat to enterprise networks, and organizations must take immediate action to secure their systems. By applying the latest security patches and implementing robust security measures, organizations can reduce the risk of exploitation and protect their critical infrastructure.
