CVE-2021-31847 represents a high-severity vulnerability found in the McAfee Agent for Windows, specifically in versions prior to 5.7.4. This vulnerability allows for improper access control during the repair process, enabling local attackers to execute DLL preloading attacks using unsigned DLLs. The implications are significant, as this could result in privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution as the system user. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to exploit the inadequately protected temporary directory used during the repair process, alongside the lack of DLL signature verification.
The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 8.2, categorizing it as high severity. This rating indicates a considerable risk to organizations, particularly given the potential for local exploitation and the resultant elevation of privileges. The vulnerability was disclosed on September 22, 2021, and has undergone modifications since its initial publication.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of McAfee Agent are urged to prioritize remediation efforts. Failure to address this vulnerability could expose systems to serious threats, especially as it can be exploited through local access.
Given the circumstances, organizations should assess their current deployments of McAfee Agent and verify if they are operating on vulnerable versions. If so, immediate action should be taken to update to version 5.7.4 or later to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The CVE-2021-31847 vulnerability is characterized as an improper access control issue affecting the McAfee Agent for Windows versions prior to 5.7.4. It has been classified under CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management), CWE-347 (Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature), and CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element).
The CVSS version 3.1 vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H, leading to a base score of 8.2. This score reflects the following characteristics: attack vector is local (AV:L), attack complexity is low (AC:L), and privileges required are low (PR:L). User interaction is required (UI:R), and the scope is changed (S:C). The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
Organizations must also be aware that the vulnerability exists in configurations that use the McAfee Agent CPE: cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:agent:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:* and all versions prior to 5.7.4.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-31847 lies in the inadequate access controls during the repair process of the McAfee Agent. Specifically, the temporary directory utilized in the repair process is not sufficiently protected, allowing unauthorized access. Moreover, the absence of DLL signature verification further exacerbates the issue, enabling local attackers to exploit this vulnerability through DLL preloading.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the affected system to exploit it. Given that the attack complexity is low, this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it does not require advanced skills to exploit. The privileges required to exploit the vulnerability are low; thus, an attacker with minimal access can leverage this flaw.
User interaction is necessary for the exploit to be successful, which means that the attacker may need to convince a user to execute a malicious DLL. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high, indicating that a successful exploit could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive information and disruption of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for local attackers to exploit this vulnerability, leading to unauthorized access and execution of arbitrary code. This could have significant ramifications, particularly for organizations that rely on the McAfee Agent for security management. The blast radius for this vulnerability could extend beyond the initial compromised system if the attacker gains elevated privileges, potentially impacting other systems within the network.
Given the vulnerability's high CVSS score and the fact that it is not currently included in the KEV catalog, organizations must assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. With an EPSS score of 0.00034, the likelihood of exploitation remains low, but organizations should not be complacent, as vulnerabilities can be exploited in various ways, especially if they remain unpatched.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent any potential exploit attempts that could lead to significant damages. Additionally, they should implement regular security assessments and continuous monitoring to detect any attempts to exploit vulnerabilities.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the McAfee Agent for Windows prior to 5.7.4. Organizations should verify their installed versions and ensure they are running the latest patched version to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying patches to McAfee Agent as soon as possible. The recommended version to upgrade to is 5.7.4 or later. In instances where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should implement workaround measures. These may include restricting local access to system components and enhancing monitoring of any changes within the system that could indicate an attempted exploitation.
Additionally, organizations should consider conducting a comprehensive security assessment to identify any other potential vulnerabilities and improve their overall security posture. For assistance with testing and validation of security controls, organizations can explore penetration testing services that simulate real-world attack scenarios.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns to the repair process of McAfee Agent. Behavioral anomalies that occur during expected operational activity should also be investigated. Additionally, network signatures associated with DLL loading activity may provide insights into possible exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-31847 highlights the importance of ensuring proper access controls in software repair processes. As vulnerabilities associated with privilege escalation can lead to severe repercussions, it is crucial for organizations to establish robust security practices. Security teams should continuously assess and improve their defenses against such vulnerabilities.
Organizations should also recognize trends in vulnerabilities, especially those related to DLL preloading, and adapt their security measures accordingly. For further reading on strengthening security measures, security teams can refer to vulnerability management programs and penetration testing methodologies to ensure comprehensive protection.
In conclusion, organizations must take swift action to address CVE-2021-31847, ensuring their systems are patched and monitoring for any signs of exploitation. The proactive measures can help mitigate risks and safeguard critical assets.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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