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CVE-2024-43451 is a Microsoft Windows NTLM spoofing and hash disclosure vulnerability that can cause a victim system to disclose the user’s NTLMv2 hash to a remote attacker. The issue is triggered through a specially crafted shortcut-style file, widely reported as involving URL/Internet Shortcut handling, where minimal interaction in Windows Explorer can initiate outbound authentication to an attacker-controlled server. Reported trigger conditions include selecting, right-clicking, inspecting, dragging, deleting, or otherwise interacting with the malicious file without opening or executing it. The vulnerability affects Windows systems using NTLM and was patched by Microsoft in November 2024. It was reported as exploited in the wild, including campaigns targeting organizations in Ukraine and Colombia, and has been associated with follow-on malware delivery and credential theft activity.
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1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
This repository is a small, focused proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2024-43451, a Windows NTLM hash disclosure vulnerability involving malicious .url shortcut files. The repository contains two files: a README with vulnerability background, affected versions, setup, and reproduction guidance; and a single Python script, exploit.py, which is the operational entry point. The exploit does not directly attack a remote service itself; instead, it generates a crafted .url file containing an attacker-controlled UNC path in the IconFile field. When a victim on a vulnerable Windows system interacts with the file in Explorer—such as right-clicking, deleting, moving/copying it, or even rendering icons in some folder views—Windows attempts to retrieve the icon over SMB from the remote UNC path. That outbound SMB connection causes NTLM authentication to the attacker-controlled host, enabling capture of the victim's NTLMv2 hash. Structurally, exploit.py is straightforward: it parses command-line arguments, validates or constructs a UNC path from --ip/--share/--icon-file, builds the .url file contents via build_url_file(), optionally adjusts IconIndex, and writes the result to disk. It supports either a full custom UNC path via --unc or automatic construction from an attacker IP and share name. It also allows setting a target URL for double-click behavior, defaulting to about:blank. The script prints operator instructions for pairing the generated file with an SMB listener such as Responder or impacket-smbserver. Main exploit capability: generation of a malicious shortcut file for credential leakage. The practical result is NTLMv2 hash capture, which can then be cracked offline. This is an operational PoC rather than a detection script, and while the payload is simple and hardcoded in concept, it is configurable through command-line options.
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33 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A prior NTLM hash disclosure spoofing vulnerability referenced as a predecessor to CVE-2025-24054 and noted as exploited in real attacks.
An NTLM-related vulnerability referenced as an example of an NTLM flaw impacting 2025 (no technical details provided in the content).
A vulnerability in Microsoft Windows NTLM protocol, abused by threat actors for credential theft and post-exploitation activities.
A vulnerability in Windows MSHTML allows .url files to trigger NTLMv2 hash leaks with minimal user interaction, enabling credential theft and lateral movement. Exploited in the wild by APTs and cybercriminals for malware delivery and credential compromise.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
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