Patch

CVE-2024-43572

with vRx

Vulnerability Overview

CVE Name

CVE-2024-43572

Severity

7.8

High

CVE Description

Microsoft Management Console Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

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Latest Patch info

Patch Name

secure@microsoft.com

Date

08.10.2024

Script

Script Type

Detection script

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❗ CVE-2024-43572 is a vulnerability affecting Microsoft Management Console (MMC) when Author Mode is enabled. This vulnerability allows attackers to create malicious .msc (Microsoft Saved Console) files that execute arbitrary code on the target system. These files, when opened in Author Mode, can bypass security measures and execute unauthorized commands. ℹ️ This detection script identifies potential risks by performing the following checks: Search for Suspicious .msc Files: Scans common directories (Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and Temp) for .msc files. Filters for .msc files created within the last 7 days to identify potentially untrusted or malicious files. Check MMC Author Mode Configuration: Queries the registry path HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\MMC to check the RestrictAuthorMode value. If RestrictAuthorMode is set to 0 or missing, Author Mode is enabled, leaving the system vulnerable. If RestrictAuthorMode is set to any other value, Author Mode is disabled, mitigating the vulnerability. Report Findings: Outputs a list of detected untrusted .msc files, if any. Reports whether Author Mode is enabled or disabled in MMC. ✅ By running this detection script, you can identify both potentially malicious .msc files and configuration weaknesses related to CVE-2024-43572.

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# Define paths to check
$pathsToCheck = @(
    "C:\Users\*\Documents",
    "C:\Users\*\Downloads",
    "C:\Users\*\Desktop",
    "C:\Temp"
)

try {
    # Search for .msc files in the specified directories
    $untrustedFiles = foreach ($path in $pathsToCheck) {
        Get-ChildItem -Path $path -Filter *.msc -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    }

# Filter for recently created files (last 7 days)
    $recentFiles = $untrustedFiles | Where-Object { $_.CreationTime -gt (Get-Date).AddDays(-7) }

# Output results for untrusted MSC files
    if ($recentFiles) {
        Write-Host "Untrusted MSC files detected:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
        $recentFiles | ForEach-Object { Write-Output $_.FullName }
    } else {
        Write-Host "No untrusted MSC files detected." -ForegroundColor Green
    }
} catch {
    Write-Host "Error occurred while scanning for MSC files: $_" -ForegroundColor Red
}

try {
    # Check if Author Mode is enabled in the registry
    $regPath = "HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\MMC"
    $authorMode = Get-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name "RestrictAuthorMode" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($authorMode.RestrictAuthorMode -eq 0 -or $authorMode.RestrictAuthorMode -eq $null) {
        Write-Host "Author Mode is ENABLED in MMC. This makes your system vulnerable to CVE-2024-43572, as malicious .msc files can be crafted to execute code." -ForegroundColor Red
    } else {
        Write-Host "Author Mode is DISABLED in MMC. Your system is protected from CVE-2024-43572 through this configuration." -ForegroundColor Green
    }
} catch {
    Write-Host "Error occurred while checking MMC Author Mode: $_" -ForegroundColor Red
}

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Affected OS & Apps

Windows 11 24H2

Microsoft

Windows Server 2022 23H2

Microsoft

Windows 11 23H2

Microsoft

Windows 11 24H2

Microsoft

Windows Server 2022 23H2

Microsoft

Windows 11 23H2

Microsoft

Windows 11 22H2

Microsoft

Windows 10 22H2

Microsoft

Windows 10 21H2

Microsoft

Windows 10 1607

Microsoft

Windows 10 1507

Microsoft

Windows 10 1809

Microsoft

Windows Server 2022

Microsoft

Windows Server 2019

Microsoft

Windows Server 2016

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012

Microsoft

Windows Server 2008

Microsoft

Windows Server 2008 SP2

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 R2

Microsoft

Windows 11 22H3

Microsoft

Windows Server 23H2

Microsoft

Windows 11 21H2

Microsoft

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