Advisory Details

February 13th, 2024

Microsoft Windows Internet Shortcut SmartScreen Bypass Vulnerability

ZDI-24-165
ZDI-CAN-23100

CVE ID CVE-2024-21412
CVSS SCORE 8.8, AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AFFECTED VENDORS Microsoft
AFFECTED PRODUCTS Windows
VULNERABILITY DETAILS

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass the SmartScreen security feature to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the handling of Internet Shortcut (.URL) files. The issue results from the lack of a security check on chained Internet Shortcut files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-21412
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2024-01-11 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2024-02-13 - Coordinated public release of advisory
CREDIT Peter Girnus (gothburz) of Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative
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