IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS8.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2024-38189|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

KB5002561: Windows Server Security Update (August 2024)

Microsoft Project contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for remote code execution via a malicious file.

Published Aug 13, 2024 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2024-09-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Improper Input Validation (CWE-20) vulnerability in Microsoft Project. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

→

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●IT Security
●Running 365 apps: -; office 2019: -; office long term servicing channel: 2021; project 2016: v < 16.0.5461.1001
Fixed inKB5002561 (applies to 8 product versions) — build 16.0.5461.1001, https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-08-13 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2024-09-03.

How to patch

Manual download

For air-gapped servers or out-of-band deployment. Microsoft Update Catalog returns every OS-version variant of this update.

↗ Microsoft Update CatalogKB5002561

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Microsoft Security Update

Microsoft has released an official security update that fixes this vulnerability.

Required KB Update

    1
    KB5002561 — https://support.microsoft.com/help/5002561

Supersedes: KB5002328

Affected Products

    1
    Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 32-bit Systems
    1
    Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise for 64-bit Systems
    1
    Microsoft Office 2019 for 32-bit editions
    1
    Microsoft Office 2019 for 64-bit editions
    1
    Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 32-bit editions
    1
    Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 for 64-bit editions
    1
    Microsoft Project 2016 (32-bit edition)
    1
    Microsoft Project 2016 (64-bit edition)

Fixed Build Numbers

    1
    16.0.5461.1001
    1
    https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases

Installation Methods

Windows Update (recommended)

1
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
2
The security update is offered if your system is in scope
3
Restart when prompted (may or may not be required for this update)

Microsoft Update Catalog (manual download)

1
Open https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
2
Search for KB5002561
3
Download the package matching your OS architecture and Windows build
4
Run the .msu installer with administrator privileges
5
Restart when prompted

WSUS / SCCM / Intune

Approve KB5002561 for the affected products in your update management console.

Microsoft Download Center Links

    1
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=106186
    1
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=106187

Verification

Confirm the update is installed:

Get-HotFix | Where-Object { $_.HotFixID -in @('KB5002561') }

References

    1
    Microsoft Security Response Center: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-38189
    1
    KB article: https://support.microsoft.com/help/5002561
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38189
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-38189
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2024-38189↗ MSRC Advisory↗ NVD↗ KBKB5002561