Dangerous 0day Windows LPE Vulnerability for Sale in the Underground

Pietro Melillo : 7 July 2024 14:15

A malicious actor, under the name “tikila”, has posted an advertisement on a hacking forum for the sale of a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability for Windows. According to the post, this vulnerability has been tested and confirmed to work on various versions of Windows, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and several Windows Server versions (2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022).

Vulnerability Details

The announcement claims that the vulnerability is 100% reliable and does not cause system crashes, ensuring process continuity. The author specifies that the vulnerability has been tested on fully updated and patched systems, implying it might exploit an unknown zero-day flaw.

Terms of Sale

The terms of sale for the vulnerability include:

• Exclusive Sale: The vulnerability will be sold to a single buyer.
• Acceptance of Intermediaries: The author accepts the use of intermediaries to facilitate the transaction.
• Proof of Funds Required: Buyers must prove they have the necessary funds for the purchase.
• Sharing of Proof of Concept (PoC): A video demonstrating the functionality of the vulnerability can be shared with the buyer.

Security Implications

Supporta RHC acquistando il Corso CTI:

Supporta RHC attraverso:

• L'acquisto del fumetto sul Cybersecurity Awareness
• Seguendo RHC su WhatsApp
• Seguendo RHC su Telegram
• Scarica gratuitamente "Dark Mirror", il report sul ransomware di Dark Lab

The sale of an LPE vulnerability for Windows represents a serious cybersecurity threat, as it could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges on compromised systems. This type of access can be used to execute malicious code, steal sensitive data, or take full control of victim machines.

Recommendations

Organizations should be vigilant and monitor their systems for signs of compromise. It is advisable to keep all software updated and apply security patches released by vendors. Additionally, it is crucial to implement defensive security measures, such as using antivirus software and firewalls, and limiting user privileges to reduce the risk of privilege escalation.

Conclusions

Tikila’s announcement once again highlights the continuous evolution of cyber threats and the need for constant vigilance in protecting IT infrastructures. Companies must stay updated on new vulnerabilities and adopt a proactive security strategy to defend against these potential threats.

In case of suspected compromise, it is essential to immediately conduct a thorough investigation to identify and mitigate any potential damage. Collaboration with cybersecurity experts can provide additional support in protecting and strengthening corporate defenses against emerging threats.

To stay updated on Microsoft vulnerabilities, you can check the Security Update Guide service.

Pietro Melillo
Head of the Dark Lab group. A Computer Engineer specialised in Cyber Security with a deep passion for Hacking and technology, currently CISO of WURTH Italia, he was responsible for Cyber Threat Intelligence & Dark Web analysis services at IBM, carries out research and teaching activities on Cyber Threat Intelligence topics at the University of Sannio, as a Ph.D, author of scientific papers and development of tools to support cybersecurity activities. Leads the CTI Team "RHC DarkLab"