CVE-2024-38030: Windows Themes spoofing allows information exposure

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 20 September 2026. Confidence: medium.

medium priorityCVSS rates it medium (6.5) with high confidentiality impact but requires user interaction, and there is no KEV listing or documented exploit despite a high EPSS score.

What it is

CVE-2024-38030 is a spoofing vulnerability in the Windows Themes component affecting a broad set of Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server releases. The record gives only a one-line description and no root-cause detail, so the exact mechanism is not documented here. It matters because it is remotely reachable with no privileges and can expose confidential data, though it requires a user to be tricked into an action.

Impact

An attacker who convinces a user to open or interact with crafted theme content could obtain information the user did not intend to disclose, with high confidentiality impact. Integrity and availability are unaffected per the CVSS vector.

Attack surface

Reached over the network (AV:N) with no authentication (PR:N), but user interaction is required (UI:R), consistent with a lure that makes the victim open a malicious theme or related file. The description does not specify the exact delivery vector.

Exploitation

Not listed in CISA KEV and no ransomware use is documented. EPSS is high (about 0.51, 98.9th percentile), indicating elevated predicted exploitation activity, but the references contain only vendor patch/advisory links and third-party detection and mitigation posts, with no public exploit or PoC cited.

What to do

• Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2024-38030 on all affected Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server versions; prioritize internet-facing and user-workstation systems.
• Restrict or block untrusted theme and .themepack files from email, web downloads and removable media, and enforce policy against installing themes from untrusted sources.
• Harden user handling of unsolicited attachments and links through email and browser controls, since exploitation depends on user interaction.
• Monitor Microsoft advisories for updated guidance and confirm coverage across all listed product versions, including older Windows 10 builds and Server 2012/2016.

Detection

• Alert on theme or .themepack file creation or execution in user profile and temp directories, especially files arriving from email or browser downloads.
• Correlate process creation of theme-handling or explorer-related processes with recent download or mail client activity.
• Hunt for unusual outbound network connections or file reads following theme file interaction on endpoints.
• Track patch state for CVE-2024-38030 across the affected Windows builds and report unpatched hosts.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.