CVE-2024-38217
Published: September 10, 2024
Official Description
Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) contains a protection mechanism failure vulnerability that allows an attacker to bypass MOTW-based defenses. This can result in a limited loss of integrity and availability of security features such as Protected View in Microsoft Office, which rely on MOTW tagging.
CISA KEV Advisory
Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) Protection Mechanism Failure Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) contains a protection mechanism failure vulnerability that allows an attacker to bypass MOTW-based defenses. This can result in a limited loss of integrity and availability of security features such as Protected View in Microsoft Office, which rely on MOTW tagging.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Risk Analysis
This high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) allows attackers to bypass security features that rely on MOTW tagging, such as Protected View in Microsoft Office. This can lead to a limited loss of integrity and availability of these security features. The high EPSS score of 0.12116 indicates a significant likelihood of exploitation.
This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild and is listed in CISA's KEV catalog, confirming its active use by threat actors.
Administrators should apply the latest security updates for Microsoft Windows to address this MOTW bypass vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-38217 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2024-38217 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (2)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2024-38217 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1