---
id: "CVE-2024-21412"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2024-21412"]
title: "Internet Shortcut Files Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.1
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Windows", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 1809", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.5458"], "affected": "< 10.0.17763.5458", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 21h2", "fixed": ["10.0.19044.4046"], "affected": "< 10.0.19044.4046", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 10 22h2", "fixed": ["10.0.19045.4046"], "affected": "< 10.0.19045.4046", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 11 21h2", "fixed": ["10.0.22000.2777"], "affected": "< 10.0.22000.2777", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 11 22h2", "fixed": ["10.0.22621.3155"], "affected": "< 10.0.22621.3155", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows 11 23h2", "fixed": ["10.0.22631.3155"], "affected": "< 10.0.22631.3155", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2019", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.5458"], "affected": "< 10.0.17763.5458", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2022", "fixed": ["10.0.20348.2322"], "affected": "< 10.0.20348.2322", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft windows server 2022 23h2", "fixed": ["10.0.25398.709"], "affected": "< 10.0.25398.709", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["endpoints", "exploited", "infrastructure", "ransomware", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["unknown"]
published_at: "2024-02-13T00:00:00+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2024-21412", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21412", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00"}]
---

# Internet Shortcut Files Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Windows Internet Shortcut (.url) files can bypass a Windows security feature, so a crafted shortcut opens without the usual warning. CISA lists it as exploited in the wild, and the sources tie it to ransomware campaigns.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Windows affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 1809 affected < 10.0.17763.5458 fixed 10.0.17763.5458
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 21h2 affected < 10.0.19044.4046 fixed 10.0.19044.4046
- vendor:microsoft windows 10 22h2 affected < 10.0.19045.4046 fixed 10.0.19045.4046
- vendor:microsoft windows 11 21h2 affected < 10.0.22000.2777 fixed 10.0.22000.2777
- vendor:microsoft windows 11 22h2 affected < 10.0.22621.3155 fixed 10.0.22621.3155
- vendor:microsoft windows 11 23h2 affected < 10.0.22631.3155 fixed 10.0.22631.3155
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2019 affected < 10.0.17763.5458 fixed 10.0.17763.5458
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2022 affected < 10.0.20348.2322 fixed 10.0.20348.2322
- vendor:microsoft windows server 2022 23h2 affected < 10.0.25398.709 fixed 10.0.25398.709

## How to check

Check that the Microsoft February 2024 security update (KB for CVE-2024-21412) is installed on each Windows host; unknown exact KB and build numbers from the sources.

## Fix

Install the Microsoft security update that addresses CVE-2024-21412 on all Windows systems; if unavailable, follow Microsoft's vendor mitigation guidance or stop using the affected product.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2024-21412
- 2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21412

## From the sources

Microsoft Windows Internet Shortcut Files contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for a security feature bypass.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_