CVE-2024-38030
published 2024-07-09CVE-2024-38030: Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
medium6.5CVSS 3.1
AVNACLPRNUIRSUCHINAN
EPSS
51.38%
98.8th percentile
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
Affected
27 ranges· showing 25
| Vendor | Product | Version range | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows_10_version_1507 | >= 10.0.10240.0 < 10.0.10240.20710 | 10.0.10240.20710 |
| microsoft | windows_10_version_1607 | >= 10.0.14393.0 < 10.0.14393.7159 | 10.0.14393.7159 |
| microsoft | windows_10_version_1809 | >= 10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.6054 | 10.0.17763.6054 |
| microsoft | windows_10_version_21h2 | >= 10.0.19043.0 < 10.0.19044.4651 | 10.0.19044.4651 |
| microsoft | windows_10_version_22h2 | >= 10.0.19045.0 < 10.0.19045.4651 | 10.0.19045.4651 |
| microsoft | windows_11_version_21h2 | >= 10.0.0 < 10.0.22000.3079 | 10.0.22000.3079 |
| microsoft | windows_11_version_22h2 | >= 10.0.22621.0 < 10.0.22621.3880 | 10.0.22621.3880 |
| microsoft | windows_11_version_22h3 | >= 10.0.22631.0 < 10.0.22631.3880 | 10.0.22631.3880 |
| microsoft | windows_11_version_23h2 | >= 10.0.22631.0 < 10.0.22631.3880 | 10.0.22631.3880 |
| microsoft | windows_server_2012 | >= 6.2.9200.0 < 6.2.9200.24975 | 6.2.9200.24975 |
| microsoft | windows_server_2012_r2 | >= 6.3.9600.0 < 6.3.9600.22074 | 6.3.9600.22074 |
| microsoft | windows_server_2016 | >= 10.0.14393.0 < 10.0.14393.7159 | 10.0.14393.7159 |
| microsoft | windows_server_2019 | >= 10.0.17763.0 < 10.0.17763.6054 | 10.0.17763.6054 |
| microsoft | windows_server_2022 | >= 10.0.20348.0 < 10.0.20348.2582 | 10.0.20348.2582 |
| msrc | windows_10 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_10_version_1607 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_10_version_1809 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_10_version_21h2 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_10_version_22h2 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_11_version_21h2 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_11_version_22h2 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_11_version_23h2 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_server_2012 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_server_2012_r2 | — | — |
| msrc | windows_server_2016 | — | — |
Detection & IOCsextracted from sources · hover to see the quote
filenametheme.theme
snort
alert http $EXTERNAL_NET any -> $HOME_NET any (msg:"ET EXPLOIT Microsoft Windows Themes Spoofing (CVE-2024-38030)"; flow:established,to_client; http.response_body; content:"|5b|Theme|5d 0a|"; fast_pattern; startswith; content:"|3d 5c 3f 3f 5c|UNC|5c|"; pcre:"/\x0a(BrandImage|Wallpaper|Path)\x3d\x5c\x3f{2}\x5cUNC\x5c/Q"; reference:url,github.com/CICADA8-Research/Penetration/blob/main/POCs/CVE-2024-38030/theme.theme; reference:cve,2024-38030; classtype:attempted-user; sid:2060030; rev:1; metadata:attack_target Client_Endpoint, created_at 2025_02_11, cve CVE_2024_38030, deployment Perimeter, deployment Internal, confidence High, signature_severity Major, tag Exploit, updated_at 2025_02_11; target:dest_ip;)bytes
|5b|Theme|5d 0a| (HTTP response body starts with "[Theme]\n")
bytes
|3d 5c 3f 3f 5c|UNC|5c| (UNC path pattern in theme file: =\??\UNC\)
- →Malicious Windows theme files exploit the BrandImage, Wallpaper, or Path properties set to UNC network paths (\??\UNC\<remote_host>) to trigger automatic outbound NTLM-authenticated requests. Detection should focus on HTTP responses delivering theme files containing these properties pointing to remote UNC paths. ↗
- →Credential leakage is triggered passively — merely viewing (not opening/executing) a malicious .theme file in Windows Explorer or on the desktop is sufficient to initiate the outbound NTLM request. Monitor for unexpected outbound SMB/NTLM traffic from workstations after file listing events. ↗
- →The Snort/Suricata rule (ET sid:2060030) targets HTTP responses to the internal network whose body starts with '[Theme]\n' and contains a UNC path assignment matching the regex \n(BrandImage|Wallpaper|Path)=\??\UNC\ — deploy on both perimeter and internal sensors.
- →On Windows Server, exploitation requires the Desktop Experience feature to be installed AND the theme file to be double-clicked and applied — passive viewing alone is insufficient. Prioritize workstation monitoring over server monitoring. ↗
- ·Systems with NTLM disabled are not affected by this vulnerability. Blocking outbound NTLM via Group Policy (Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options > 'Network security: Restrict NTLM: Outgoing NTLM traffic to remote servers') mitigates credential leakage for remote SMB scenarios. ↗
- ·CVE-2024-38030 is itself a bypass of CVE-2024-21320 (patched January 2024). Applying only the January patch is insufficient; the July patch (e.g., KB5040430) is required. A further unpatched bypass beyond CVE-2024-38030 was also identified by ACROS Security, meaning fully updated Windows 7–11 24H2 systems may still be vulnerable. ↗
CVSS provenance
nvdv3.16.5MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
cvelistv56.5MEDIUM
vendor_msrc6.5MEDIUM
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CVEList
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
cvelistv5·2024-07-09·CVSS 6.5
CVE-2024-38030 [MEDIUM] CWE-200 Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
Microsoft
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
vendor_msrc·2024-07-09·CVSS 6.5
CVE-2024-38030 [MEDIUM] CWE-200 Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
Windows Themes Spoofing Vulnerability
FAQ: According to the CVSS metric, user interaction is required (UI:R). What interaction would the user have to do?
An attacker would have to convince the user to load a malicious file onto a vulnerable system, typically by way of an enticement in an Email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to manipulate the specially crafted file, but not necessarily click or open the malicious file.
Windows Themes: Windows Themes
Microsoft: Microsoft
Customer Action Required: Yes
Impact: Spoofing
Exploit Status: Publicly Disclosed:No;Exploited:No;Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less Likely
Reference: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB5040430
Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5040430
Reference:
Suricata
ET EXPLOIT Microsoft Windows Themes Spoofing (CVE-2024-38030)
suricata·2025-02-11·CVSS 6.5
CVE-2024-38030 [MEDIUM] ET EXPLOIT Microsoft Windows Themes Spoofing (CVE-2024-38030)
ET EXPLOIT Microsoft Windows Themes Spoofing (CVE-2024-38030)
Rule: alert http $EXTERNAL_NET any -> $HOME_NET any (msg:"ET EXPLOIT Microsoft Windows Themes Spoofing (CVE-2024-38030)"; flow:established,to_client; http.response_body; content:"|5b|Theme|5d 0a|"; fast_pattern; startswith; content:"|3d 5c 3f 3f 5c|UNC|5c|"; pcre:"/\x0a(BrandImage|Wallpaper|Path)\x3d\x5c\x3f{2}\x5cUNC\x5c/Q"; reference:url,github.com/CICADA8-Research/Penetration/blob/main/POCs/CVE-2024-38030/theme.theme; reference:cve,2024-38030; classtype:attempted-user; sid:2060030; rev:1; metadata:attack_target Client_Endpoint, created_at 2025_02_11, cve CVE_2024_38030, deployment Perimeter, deployment Internal, confidence High, signature_severity Major, tag Exploit, updated_at 2025_02_11; target:dest_ip;)
No public exploits indexed.
Bleepingcomputer
Microsoft January 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 8 zero-days, 159 flaws
blogs_bleepingcomputer·2025-01-14·CVSS 7.8
[HIGH] Microsoft January 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 8 zero-days, 159 flaws
## Microsoft January 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 8 zero-days, 159 flaws
## Lawrence Abrams
40 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities
14 Security Feature Bypass Vulnerabilities
58 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities
24 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities
20 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities
5 Spoofing Vulnerabilities
To learn more about the non-security updates released today, you can review our dedicated articles on the Windows 11 KB5050009 & KB5050021 cumulative updates and the Windows 10 KB5048652 cumulative update.
## Three actively exploited zero-day disclosed
This month's Patch Tuesday fixes three actively exploited and five publicly exposed zero-day vulnerabilities.
Microsoft classifies a zero-day flaw as one that is publicly disclosed or actively exploited while no offi
Bleepingcomputer
New Windows Themes zero-day gets free, unofficial patches
blogs_bleepingcomputer·2024-10-29·CVSS 6.5
CVE-2024-38030 [MEDIUM] New Windows Themes zero-day gets free, unofficial patches
## New Windows Themes zero-day gets free, unofficial patches
## Sergiu Gatlan
## Bypass for incomplete security patch
ACROS Security researchers discovered the new Windows Themes zero-day (which has not yet been assigned a CVE ID) while developing a micropatch for a security issue tracked as CVE-2024-38030 that could leak a user's credentials (reported by Akamai's Tomer Peled), itself a bypass for another Windows Themes spoofing vulnerability ( CVE-2024-21320 ) patched by Microsoft in January.
Peled found that "when a theme file specified a network file path for some of the theme properties (specifically BrandImage and Wallpaper), Windows would automatically send authenticated network requests to remote hosts, including user's NTLM credentials when such theme file would be viewed in Wi
Trendmicro
The July 2024 Security Update Review
blogs_trendmicro·2024-07-09
The July 2024 Security Update Review
## The July 2024 Security Update Review
Get the July 2024 security update and review.
By: Dustin Childs 2024/07/09 Read time: ( words)
Save to Folio
We’re just past the halfway point of 2024, and as expected, Microsoft and Adobe have released their regularly scheduled updates. Take a break from your regular activities and join us as we review the details of their latest security alerts. If you’d rather watch the full video recap covering the entire release, you can check it out here:
Adobe Patches for July 2024
For July, Adobe released three patches addressing seven CVEs in Adobe Premiere Pro, InDesign, and Adobe Bridge. The patch for InDesign is the largest, fixing four Critical-rated CVEs. All four could lead to arbitrary code execution. The fix for Premiere Pro fixes a single CVE
Qualys
Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, July 2024 Security Update Review
blogs_qualys·2024-07-09
Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, July 2024 Security Update Review
## Table of Contents
Microsoft Patch Tuesday for July 2024
Adobe Patches for July 2024
Zero-day Vulnerabilities Patched in July Patch Tuesday Edition
Critical Severity Vulnerabilities Patched in July Patch Tuesday Edition
Other Microsoft Vulnerability Highlights
Microsoft Release Summary
Discover and Prioritize Vulnerabilities inVulnerability Management, Detection & Response (VMDR)
Rapid Response withPatch Management (PM)
EVALUATE Vendor-Suggested Mitigation with Policy Compliance (PC)
Qualys Monthly Webinar Series
July’s Patch Tuesday brings a midsummer wave of updates, addressing critical vulnerabilities and enhancing security across the Microsoft ecosystem. Let’s discover the highlights from Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday updates for July 2024.
## Microsoft Patch Tuesday for July
Trendmicro
The July 2024 Security Update Review
blogs_trendmicro·2024-07-09
The July 2024 Security Update Review
# The July 2024 Security Update Review
Get the July 2024 security update and review.
By: Dustin Childs
2024/07/09
Read time: ( words)
Save to Folio
We’re just past the halfway point of 2024, and as expected, Microsoft and Adobe have released their regularly scheduled updates. Take a break from your regular activities and join us as we review the details of their latest security alerts. If you’d rather watch the full video recap covering the entire release, you can check it out here:
Adobe Patches for July 2024
For July, Adobe released three patches addressing seven CVEs in Adobe Premiere Pro, InDesign, and Adobe Bridge. The patch for InDesign is the largest, fixing four Critical-rated CVEs. All four could lead to arbitrary code execution. The fix for Premiere Pro fixes a single CVE
Qualys
Microsoft and Adobe July 2024 Security Patches Explained | Qualys
blogs_qualys·2024-07-09
Microsoft and Adobe July 2024 Security Patches Explained | Qualys
#### Table of Contents
- Microsoft Patch Tuesday for July 2024
- Adobe Patches for July 2024
- Zero-day Vulnerabilities Patched in July Patch Tuesday Edition
- Critical Severity Vulnerabilities Patched in July Patch Tuesday Edition
- Other Microsoft Vulnerability Highlights
- Microsoft Release Summary
- Discover and Prioritize Vulnerabilities inVulnerability Management, Detection & Response (VMDR)
- Rapid Response withPatch Management (PM)
- EVALUATE Vendor-Suggested Mitigation with Policy Compliance (PC)
- Qualys Monthly Webinar Series
July’s Patch Tuesday brings a midsummer wave of updates, addressing critical vulnerabilities and enhancing security across the Microsoft ecosystem. Let’s discover the highlights from Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday updates for July 2024.
## Microsoft Patch Tue
2024-07-09
Published