CVE-2024-49052
Published: 26 November 2024
Summary
CVE-2024-49052 is a high-severity Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability in Microsoft Azure Functions. Its CVSS base score is 8.2 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 14.6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
CVE-2024-49052 is a missing authentication for critical function vulnerability, tracked under CWE-306, that affects Microsoft Azure PolicyWatch. The flaw carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.2 with an attack vector of network, low complexity, and no required privileges or user interaction, resulting in high confidentiality impact and limited integrity impact.
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit the issue remotely over a network to elevate privileges within the Azure PolicyWatch component, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive policy-related functions and data.
The official Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-49052 provides guidance on available patches and mitigation steps for affected Azure deployments.
EPSS for the vulnerability rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.0785 on 2025-12-11 before receding to the current value of 0.0241, indicating that exploitation interest increased after public disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-43920
Vulnerability details
Missing authentication for critical function in Microsoft Azure PolicyWatch allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requires established identification and authentication to unlock, mitigating missing authentication for continued system access.
Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.
Authorizing mobile device connections to organizational systems ensures authentication is performed for this critical access function.
Guarantees critical functions are protected by mandatory invocation of the access control mechanism.
Auditing sessions makes it possible to detect access to critical functions without required authentication.
The assessment process confirms authentication is present and effective for critical functions, preventing exploitation from missing authentication.
Certification assesses that critical functions have required authentication controls in place.
Disabling non-essential functions and services eliminates the need to secure them, reducing exposure from missing authentication on unnecessary components.