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MediumCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

Microsoft Windows NTLM Hash Disclosure Spoofing Vulnerability

IdentifiersCVE-2024-43451CWE-200

CVE-2024-43451 is a Microsoft Windows NTLM hash disclosure spoofing vulnerability in which Windows handling of malicious Internet Shortcut/.url files can trigger outbound SMB authentication to an attacker-controlled server with only minimal user interaction. Reported trigger conditions include selecting, right-clicking, inspecting, dragging, deleting, or otherwise interacting with the malicious file without opening or executing it. The issue can disclose the victim user's NTLMv2 hash to a remote attacker via a file open/shell interaction path. Multiple reports describe the flaw as affecting Windows processing of .url/network shortcut files and causing SMB-based authentication leakage when Explorer or related shell components resolve the crafted shortcut target.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation discloses the victim user's NTLMv2 hash to the attacker. That credential material can then be used for follow-on attacks such as offline cracking, pass-the-hash/relay-style abuse, impersonation of the victim account, access to Windows resources under that identity, and potentially lateral movement depending on the privileges of the compromised account. In observed campaigns, the vulnerability was also used as an initial access/enabler to download or execute next-stage malware.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Until patching is complete, reduce exposure by blocking or quarantining untrusted .url files and archives containing shortcut content, restricting outbound SMB/NTLM authentication to untrusted hosts, and hardening or disabling NTLM where operationally feasible. User awareness controls should emphasize that even non-open interactions with suspicious files may be dangerous. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unexpected outbound SMB authentication attempts initiated by Explorer/shell activity and filtering phishing-delivered ZIP/shortcut payloads.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Microsoft's November 12, 2024 security update for CVE-2024-43451 across affected Windows systems. Prioritize patching internet-facing, high-value, and user workstation assets, especially environments where NTLM remains enabled and users routinely handle archives or shortcut files from untrusted sources. Ensure legacy systems receiving Security Only updates also receive the relevant cumulative/IE-related fixes where applicable, as referenced in reporting.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 1 candidate as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.

VALID 0 / 1 TOTALView more in app

All candidate exploits were filtered out by Mallory's validation.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 1507operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 1607operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 1809operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 21h2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 22h2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 22h2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 23h2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 24h2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2008operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2008 R2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2008 Sp2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2012operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2012 R2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2016operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2019operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2022operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2022 23h2operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2025operating_system
Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 23h2operating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence13

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware6

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures1

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity6

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.