Remote code execution in Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME)

1) Use-after-free

EUVDB-ID: #VU101416

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 6.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2024-49079

CWE-ID: CWE-416 - Use After Free

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error in Input Method Editor (IME). A remote attacker can trick a victim to open a specially crafted file and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: before 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.5247, 10 1507 10.0.10240.20857, 10 1607 10.0.14393.7606, 10 1809 10.0.17763.6659, 11 22H2 10.0.22621.4602, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.4602, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247, 10 21H2 10.0.19044.5247

Windows Server: before 2012 R2 6.3.9600.22318, 2012 6.2.9200.25222, 2016 10.0.14393.7606, 2022 10.0.20348.2908, 2022 10.0.20348.2966, 2022 23H2 10.0.25398.1308, 2025 10.0.26100.2528, 2025 10.0.26100.2605, 2012 R2 6.3.9600.22318, 2012 R2 6.3.9600.22318, 2012 R2 6.3.9600.22318

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2024-49079

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.