🔐 PipeMagic Ransomware via CLFS Zero-Day — A Deep Dive into CVE‑2025‑29824

🚨 Threat Snapshot

• Zero-Day ID: CVE‑2025‑29824
• Exploited by: STORM‑2460 APT Group
• Targeted Countries: 🇺🇸 USA, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, 🇻🇪 Venezuela
• Severity: Critical (High Privilege Escalation + Ransomware Delivery)
• Payload: PipeMagic Ransomware
• Vector: Local Privilege Escalation via Windows CLFS (Common Log File System)

🧠 Technical Breakdown

🔍 Vulnerability: CVE‑2025‑29824

The zero-day vulnerability lies in Microsoft’s Common Log File System (CLFS) — a component used for high-performance logging on Windows systems.

• Vuln Type: Local Privilege Escalation (LPE)
• Root Cause: Improper memory operations or permission validation inside CLFS driver.
• CVE Status: Privately reported and weaponized before any official patch.

This vulnerability allows low-privileged users to elevate privileges to SYSTEM, opening the door for stealthy lateral movement or ransomware deployment.

👥 APT Group: STORM‑2460

STORM‑2460, a well-resourced Advanced Persistent Threat actor, has been actively using this vulnerability as part of a broader campaign.

• Behavior: Known for weaponizing kernel-level flaws.
• Toolset: Custom PowerShell droppers, encrypted loaders, and persistence via WMI.
• Targets: Government and critical infrastructure orgs in the above-listed countries.

💣 Payload Analysis: PipeMagic Ransomware

After privilege escalation is achieved via CVE‑2025‑29824, the system is locked and encrypted using the new variant: PipeMagic.

PipeMagic Key Traits:

• Written In: C++ with Rust-compiled modules for encryption.
• C2 Communication: Encrypted gRPC via TOR hidden service.
• Persistence:
  • Schedules itself via schtasks and WMI.
  • Disables recovery options via BCDEDIT.
• Evades:
  • EDR via injection into signed processes.
  • YARA via polymorphic code obfuscation.

🛡️ Detection & Defensive Recommendations

🔎 Detection Indicators:

• Unusual activity from CLFS.sys or excessive handle creation.
• Creation of tasks in \Microsoft\Windows\SystemTasks outside patching hours.
• Execution of unsigned binaries post privilege escalation.
• Outbound traffic to known TOR exit nodes.

🧰 Defense Strategy:

🧩 Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

📌 Conclusion

PipeMagic via CVE‑2025‑29824 exemplifies a devastating combination of zero-day exploitation and ransomware deployment by nation-state actors. Organizations must adopt a Zero Trust approach, strengthen their patch hygiene, and proactively monitor kernel-level driver activities.🛡️ As defenders, our job is to always be one step ahead. If you’re a SOC analyst, blue teamer, or researcher, stay vigilant and integrate CLFS-related LPE detection into your threat hunting playbooks immediately.

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