CVE-2024-38014
Microsoft Windows Installer Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2024-38014 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Installer service affecting all supported versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. The flaw enables a local authenticated attacker with low-level privileges to escalate to SYSTEM-level access, achieving complete control over the affected machine. With an EPSS score of 12.8% (93.9th percentile) and confirmed active exploitation, CISA has added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a remediation deadline of October 1, 2024. The combination of local privilege escalation and broad Windows version coverage makes this a critical patching priority for enterprise environments.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows 10 1507 | < 10.0.10240.20766 |
| microsoft | windows 10 1607 | < 10.0.14393.7336 |
| microsoft | windows 10 1809 | < 10.0.17763.6293 |
| microsoft | windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.4894 |
| microsoft | windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.4894 |
| microsoft | windows 11 21h2 | < 10.0.22000.3197 |
| microsoft | windows 11 22h2 | < 10.0.22621.4169 |
| microsoft | windows 11 23h2 | < 10.0.22631.4169 |
| microsoft | windows 11 24h2 | < 10.0.26100.1742 |
| microsoft | windows server 2008 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows server 2016 | < 10.0.14393.7336 |
| microsoft | windows server 2019 | < 10.0.17763.6293 |
| microsoft | windows server 2022 | < 10.0.20348.2700 |
| microsoft | windows server 2022 23h2 | < 10.0.25398.1128 |
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-38014(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Sep/43(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-38014(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Elevation of Privilege via Windows Installer
Although no formal CWE has been assigned to CVE-2024-38014, the vulnerability falls into the category of local privilege escalation through the Windows Installer (msiexec) service. Windows Installer runs with elevated SYSTEM privileges when processing installation packages, and flaws in its handling of installation logic, repair operations, or custom actions can allow a low-privileged user to hijack the elevated execution context. This class of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows any local user — including those with minimal permissions — to gain the highest level of system access, bypassing all user-level security controls and access restrictions.
Learn more: CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
Impact Analysis
The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (High) reflects a vulnerability with severe consequences for affected systems. Confidentiality (C:H), integrity (I:H), and availability (A:H) are all fully compromised once an attacker achieves SYSTEM-level privileges. This means the attacker can access all data on the system including credentials, modify any file or registry entry, install persistent backdoors, and completely disable system protections. The local attack vector requires the attacker to already have some form of authenticated access to the target system, but the low privilege requirement means any standard user account is sufficient.
From a business perspective, privilege escalation vulnerabilities in Windows Installer are especially concerning because they provide a reliable path from initial compromise to full system control. An attacker who gains a foothold through phishing, a browser exploit, or stolen credentials can immediately escalate to SYSTEM privileges, which is equivalent to domain-level access on that host. The EPSS score of 12.8% at the 93.9th percentile confirms significant exploitation activity. While the ransomware association is listed as unknown, privilege escalation is a standard step in ransomware kill chains — attackers need SYSTEM access to encrypt files, disable security software, and delete shadow copies.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2024-38014 has been confirmed as actively exploited in the wild, earning its inclusion in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a mandatory remediation deadline of October 1, 2024. The EPSS probability of 12.8% places this vulnerability at the 93.9th percentile, indicating that it is among the most frequently targeted vulnerabilities currently tracked. Security researcher SEC Consult disclosed detailed exploitation information through a full disclosure posting, providing technical context on how the privilege escalation is achieved.
The ransomware usage status is classified as "Unknown," but Windows Installer privilege escalation vulnerabilities are high-value targets for ransomware operators who need SYSTEM-level access to encrypt files, disable endpoint protection, and establish persistence. The broad scope of affected Windows versions — spanning Windows 10, Windows 11, and all current Server editions — combined with active exploitation makes this a top-tier patching priority. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability in the September 2024 Patch Tuesday release.
Remediation
- Apply September 2024 security updates — Install the cumulative update for your specific Windows version as documented in the Microsoft Security Advisory. Prioritize servers and workstations that are accessible to multiple users or exposed to higher-risk environments.
- Implement least privilege access — Reduce the number of users with interactive logon rights on servers and critical systems. Use Group Policy to restrict "Log on locally" and "Log on through Remote Desktop Services" to only those accounts that require such access.
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) — Ensure EDR solutions are configured to detect suspicious Windows Installer activity, including unexpected msiexec.exe invocations, unusual child processes spawned by installer services, and SYSTEM-level process creation from non-standard parent processes.
- Enable Windows Defender Credential Guard — On supported Windows editions, enable Credential Guard to protect LSASS-stored credentials. Even if an attacker achieves SYSTEM access, Credential Guard limits the credentials available for lateral movement.
- Audit installed software and pending installations — Review MSI packages and installer scripts across the environment for potentially malicious custom actions. Monitor Software Installation Group Policy for unauthorized package deployments.
Technical Details
The CVSS v3.1 vector for CVE-2024-38014 is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, yielding a base score of 7.8 (High). Attack Vector (AV:L) indicates the attacker must have local access to the system. Attack Complexity (AC:L) means exploitation is straightforward without requiring special conditions. Privileges Required (PR:L) confirms that only a low-privilege user account is needed. User Interaction (UI:N) indicates no victim action beyond the attacker's own commands is required. Scope (S:U) limits impact to the vulnerable component. Confidentiality (C:H), Integrity (I:H), and Availability (A:H) reflect the complete system compromise achievable through SYSTEM-level privilege escalation.
The Windows Installer service (msiexec.exe) operates with SYSTEM privileges when performing installations, repairs, and uninstallations of MSI packages. The vulnerability in CVE-2024-38014 allows an authenticated low-privilege user to manipulate the Windows Installer process in a way that hijacks the SYSTEM-level execution context. This type of attack typically exploits race conditions, symbolic link (symlink) or junction manipulation, or flaws in how the Installer service resolves file paths and executes custom actions during package processing. The attacker triggers an installer operation — potentially a repair action on an already-installed package — and exploits the privileged execution context to run arbitrary code as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. The detailed exploitation mechanics were disclosed through the SEC Consult advisory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2024-38014?
CVE-2024-38014 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Installer service that allows a local attacker with low-level user privileges to escalate to SYSTEM-level access. This grants complete control over the affected Windows machine, including the ability to read all data, modify system configurations, and install persistent malware.
Which systems are affected by CVE-2024-38014?
All currently supported versions of Windows are affected, including Windows 10 (versions 1507 through 22H2), Windows 11 (versions 21H2 through 24H2), and Windows Server editions from 2008 through 2022 23H2. Organizations should apply the September 2024 Patch Tuesday updates across their entire Windows estate.
Can CVE-2024-38014 be exploited remotely?
No, this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability. The attacker must already have authenticated access to the target system with at least a low-privilege user account. However, attackers commonly chain remote access exploits or phishing-based initial access with local privilege escalation vulnerabilities like this one to achieve full system control.
Is CVE-2024-38014 being used in ransomware attacks?
The official KEV listing classifies ransomware association as "Unknown." However, privilege escalation to SYSTEM is a critical step in most ransomware attack chains, as it enables attackers to encrypt files, disable security software, and delete volume shadow copies. Organizations should treat this vulnerability as high-priority regardless of its current ransomware classification.
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