CVE-2024-30088

This vulnerability is a security weakness in the Windows core that lets someone who already has limited access to a PC “step up” to become fully in control of that computer. Think of it like a locked office where an attacker can bypass a low-level badge check and then open every room. Because it has been used in real ransomware campaigns, a successful attacker could take over your systems and disrupt operations quickly.

This matters if you run or administer Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2022—especially machines that could have someone on-site, through support access, or through an already-compromised account. The exploit is local and does not require user interaction, so the key question is whether an attacker can get local access to the machine (for example via malware, compromised credentials, or physical/remote access that reaches the system).

This is urgent because CISA confirmed it’s been used in ransomware campaigns (CISA KEV), so attackers are actively targeting systems with this flaw. Even though the attack needs local access and the exploit is described as difficult to achieve, the real-world exploitation means you should not wait for “next scheduled updates.”

1. Identify affected systems: On each device running Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2022, record the OS edition and exact build number.

2. Check whether you’re already fixed: Compare your current build to the fixed builds published for CVE-2024-30088.

• Windows 10 fixed in: 10.0.10240.20680; 10.0.14393.7070; 10.0.17763.5936; 10.0.19044.4529; 10.0.19045.4529
• Windows 11 fixed in: 10.0.22000.3019; 10.0.22621.3737; 10.0.22631.3737
• Windows Server 2016 fixed in: 10.0.14393.7070
• Windows Server 2019 fixed in: 10.0.17763.5936
• Windows Server 2022 fixed in: 10.0.20348.2527; 10.0.25398.950

3. Patch plan: If any machine is not on a listed fixed build, apply Microsoft’s update(s) for CVE-2024-30088 as a priority and reboot if required. Re-check the build number after patching.

4. If patching is delayed: Apply mitigations exactly as described in Microsoft’s guidance for CVE-2024-30088 (CISA notes that organizations should apply vendor mitigations per instructions or discontinue use if mitigations are unavailable).

5. Ransomware-aware verification: Because this is KEV-listed as used in ransomware campaigns, check for signs of compromise around the time window before and after the fix (for example, unusual local admin activity, new services/tasks, suspicious processes). If any compromise indicators appear, treat the device as potentially breached and follow your incident response process.

6. Timeline: CISA KEV remediation due date is 2024-11-05.

Severity: HIGH (as provided). Weakness: CWE-367. Mechanism: a Windows Kernel local privilege-escalation issue that allows an attacker with low-level local access to elevate privileges to full control; no user interaction is required. Exploitation status: CISA KEV lists CVE-2024-30088 as used in ransomware campaigns (added 2024-10-15), and there is no public exploit code on record in the provided findings. Predicted likelihood (EPSS) is provided with a falling trend, but real-world KEV listing is the dominant signal. Patch coverage: Microsoft provides fixed builds per OS release line (Windows 10/11/Server 2016/2019/2022) as listed in the Patch findings. KEV meaning here: CISA has identified this vulnerability as actively exploited, which typically warrants faster remediation than vulnerabilities without KEV status.