CVE-2024-21966
📋 TL;DR
A DLL hijacking vulnerability in AMD Ryzen Master Utility allows attackers to place malicious DLLs in directories where the application searches for them, potentially leading to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. This affects users running AMD Ryzen Master Utility on Windows systems. Attackers need local access to the system to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- AMD Ryzen Master Utility
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with administrative privileges, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and complete control over the affected system.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation enabling attackers to execute code with higher privileges than their current user account, potentially leading to lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper application whitelisting, DLL search path restrictions, and least privilege principles are enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to the system and ability to place malicious DLLs in specific directories. Attackers need to understand DLL search order and have write access to directories searched by the application.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Latest version available through AMD's official channels
Vendor Advisory: https://www.amd.com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-9010.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Visit AMD's official website or use the AMD Ryzen Master Utility update feature. 2. Download and install the latest version of AMD Ryzen Master Utility. 3. Verify the installation completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DLL search paths
WindowsConfigure Windows to restrict DLL search paths and prevent loading from untrusted directories
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'SafeDllSearchMode' -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'CWDIllegalInDllSearch' -Value 1
Remove vulnerable application
WindowsUninstall AMD Ryzen Master Utility if not required for system operation
appwiz.cpl
Select 'AMD Ryzen Master' and click 'Uninstall'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized DLLs
- Enforce least privilege principles and restrict user permissions to prevent DLL placement in sensitive directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if AMD Ryzen Master Utility is installed and verify the version is older than the patched releaseCheck Version:
Check program version in Control Panel > Programs and Features or run: wmic product where name='AMD Ryzen Master' get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm AMD Ryzen Master Utility has been updated to the latest version and verify no unauthorized DLLs exist in application directories📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing DLL loading from unusual paths
- Process Monitor logs showing AMD Ryzen Master loading DLLs from user-writable directories
Network Indicators:
- No direct network indicators as this is a local exploit
SIEM Query:
EventID=7 OR EventID=11 WHERE ProcessName LIKE '%RyzenMaster%' AND ImageLoaded CONTAINS '.dll' AND NOT ImageLoaded STARTSWITH 'C:\Program Files'