Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2024-49039)
Severity: high · Patch status: patched · Since 2024-11-12 · CVE-2024-49039
Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that can allow an attacker-provided, local application to escalate privileges outside of its AppContainer, and access privileged RPC functions. CISA added CVE-2024-49039 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 12, 2024, which means attackers are exploiting it in the wild. CISA reports known use in ransomware campaigns.
What to do
- Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- US federal agencies must remediate by Dec 3, 2024 (BOD 22-01); treat that as the outer limit.
Sources
All live incidents on Threat Watch
