Microsoft’s December 2024 Patch Tuesday includes security updates addressing 71 vulnerabilities, including 16 critical remote code execution flaws and one actively exploited zero-day vulnerability. The actively exploited zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2024-49138, allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges on Windows devices.

Microsoft December 2024 Patch Tuesday Technical Overview

Key Vulnerabilities

CVE-2024-49138: Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

  • Severity: Critical
  • Impact: Enables attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level.
  • Exploitation: Actively exploited in the wild, allowing threat actors to take full control of affected devices.
  • Resolution: Patched as part of this month’s updates.

Other Vulnerabilities Addressed:

  • 27 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities
  • 30 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities
  • 7 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities
  • 5 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities
  • 1 Spoofing Vulnerability

What We Suggest for Microsoft December 2024 Patch Tuesday

  1. Update Systems Immediately:
    • Apply the December 2024 updates to protect against CVE-2024-49138 and other vulnerabilities.
    • Ensure that Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems receive the latest cumulative updates (KB5048667, KB5048685, and KB5048652).
  2. Monitor for Suspicious Activity:
    • Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify exploitation attempts targeting the Common Log File System Driver.
  3. Strengthen Access Controls:
    • Limit privileges for user accounts and applications to reduce potential exposure to privilege escalation vulnerabilities.

DIFEND WITH CONFIDENCE

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