Guest-to-host code execution via wnv.sys use-after-free
Published Aug 13, 2024 · Updated Jul 10, 2025
Use-after-free in Microsoft Windows Network Virtualization before 10.0.14393.7259 allows remote authenticated users to execute host code. The wnv.sys driver fails to check a return value while processing an attacker-controlled Memory Descriptor List, enabling invalid memory writes or freeing a live allocation. Administrative control of a guest environment is required, and successful exploitation crosses the virtualization boundary to compromise the host.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Microsoft Windows Network Virtualization before 10.0.14393.7259 allows remote authenticated users to execute host code. The wnv.sys driver fails to check a return value while processing an attacker-controlled Memory Descriptor List, enabling invalid memory writes or freeing a live allocation. Administrative control of a guest environment is required, and successful exploitation crosses the virtualization boundary to compromise the host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-38159
- Published
- Aug 13, 2024
- Updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1068
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 10, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.7259
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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