CVE-2024-27240
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated Windows users with local access to escalate privileges through improper input validation in Zoom Apps installers. Attackers could gain elevated system permissions by exploiting flaws in the installation process. Only Windows users running affected Zoom Apps versions are impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- Zoom Apps for Windows
📦 What is this software?
Rooms by Zoom
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling complete system compromise, installation of persistent malware, credential theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Local authenticated users (including low-privilege accounts) escalate to administrator privileges, allowing them to bypass security controls, install unauthorized software, or access sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper privilege separation and least privilege principles, impact is limited to the user's own account scope with minimal lateral movement potential.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local authenticated access but appears straightforward based on the CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) classification and CVSS score.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Latest version as specified in ZSB-24019 security bulletin
Vendor Advisory: https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/security-bulletin/zsb-24019
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Zoom desktop client. 2. Click profile picture → Check for Updates. 3. Install available updates. 4. Restart Zoom and affected systems. 5. Verify installation of latest version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local Administrative Privileges
windowsImplement least privilege by removing local administrator rights from standard user accounts
Application Control Policies
windowsUse AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control to restrict execution of Zoom installers
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege policies to limit local administrative access
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts using Windows Event Logs and security tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Zoom version in Zoom client: Click profile picture → About → Version. Compare against patched version in ZSB-24019.Check Version:
In Zoom client: Click profile picture → About → VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Zoom version is updated to latest release and verify no privilege escalation attempts in Windows Event Logs (Event ID 4688, 4672).📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event ID 4688 (process creation) showing Zoom installer with elevated privileges
- Event ID 4672 (special privileges assigned) for Zoom-related processes
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators as this is local privilege escalation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName="*zoom*" OR CommandLine="*zoom*") AND IntegrityLevel="High" OR EventID=4672 AND SubjectUserName="*zoom*"