CVE-2024-21351 Microsoft Windows: command or code injection
In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Mar 5, 2024
What to do
- Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
- Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
- Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.
The details
- Official name
- Microsoft Windows SmartScreen Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
- Product
- Microsoft Windows
- CISA description
- Microsoft Windows SmartScreen contains a security feature bypass vulnerability that allows an attacker to bypass the SmartScreen user experience and inject code to potentially gain code execution, which could lead to some data exposure, lack of system availability, or both.
- Type of flaw
- Command or code injection (CWE-94)
- Confirmed exploited
- Feb 13, 2024
- US federal patch deadline
- Mar 5, 2024
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Answering about CVE-2024-21351 ·
Questions about CVE-2024-21351
Is CVE-2024-21351 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2024-21351 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Feb 13, 2024, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2024-21351?
Install Microsoft's security update for Windows. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
Am I affected by CVE-2024-21351?
Only if you use Microsoft Windows. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.