DETROIT – Hackers often use malicious documents or pirated software as a means of getting their malware onto vulnerable devices, but a new Windows flaw could let them do so over Wi-Fi.
As reported by Forbes, this new Wi-Fi vulnerability (tracked as CVE-2024-30078) affects all versions of Windows, and if exploited, it can be used by an attacker to infect vulnerable PCs with malware.
The flaw itself has a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, and what makes it particularly dangerous is the fact that an attacker doesn’t need physical access to a target system. They do however have to be on the same Wi-Fi network to exploit it.
Here’s everything you need to know about this new critical flaw along with some tips on how to keep your own Windows PC or laptop safe from hackers.
In an update guide on its site, Microsoft confirmed that no special obligations need to be met to exploit this flaw except for the hacker being close to a target and on the same Wi-Fi network. They also don’t have to be authenticated nor do they need access to any settings or files on a victim’s PC.
To make matters worse, an exploit for this new Wi-Fi flaw doesn’t require any interaction from a potential victim at all. This means that users don’t need to click on a link in a phishing email or to download a malicious attachment for this to work.
For those working from home or at the office, this type of vulnerability is far less concerning. However, if you often use one of the best Windows laptops out in public — say at a coffee shop or in the airport — then you’d be more likely to fall victim to an attack exploiting this flaw.
To read more, click on Tom’s Guide
