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CVE-2021-36276: High Vulnerability in Dell DBUtilDrv2.sys Driver

A high-severity vulnerability in Dell's DBUtilDrv2.sys driver could lead to privilege escalation, denial of service, or information disclosure. Organizations need to act promptly to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

HIGHCVSS 8.8 · Published August 9, 2021

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The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-36276 affects the Dell DBUtilDrv2.sys driver, specifically in versions 2.5 and 2.6. This vulnerability allows for insufficient access control, which may lead to escalation of privileges, denial of service, or information disclosure. Notably, local authenticated user access is required to exploit this vulnerability.

With a CVSS score of 8.8, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. The implications of this vulnerability are significant, as it can allow unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. Organizations must prioritize addressing this issue due to the potential for unauthorized actions that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality.

Currently, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) database. However, the high CVSS score indicates a serious risk, and organizations should take immediate action to patch the affected systems.

Given the potential risks, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the potential impact of this vulnerability. Regular audits and security assessments should also be conducted to ensure compliance and security hygiene.

Vulnerability Details

According to the official description, the Dell DBUtilDrv2.sys driver contains an insufficient access control vulnerability that may lead to escalation of privileges, denial of service, or information disclosure. This issue affects the following versions of the driver: 2.5 and 2.6. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8, indicating high severity due to its potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-285, which corresponds to improper access control. The flaw resides in the way access controls are implemented within the DBUtilDrv2.sys driver, allowing authenticated users to potentially exploit this weakness. The publication date of this vulnerability is August 9, 2021.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of the vulnerability is insufficient access control in the DBUtilDrv2.sys driver. Attackers with local authenticated access could exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have local authenticated access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is classified as low, indicating that exploitation does not require advanced skills or techniques. Privileges required for exploitation are low, and no user interaction is required.

The impact of successful exploitation is severe, as it can lead to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, potentially resulting in significant disruption and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk associated with CVE-2021-36276 is substantial, particularly for organizations that utilize the affected Dell DBUtilDrv2.sys driver. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to escalate their privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to critical systems and data.

Organizations using this driver should assess their exposure to this vulnerability, especially if they have local access controls that could be bypassed. The high CVSS score reflects the urgency of addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.

The blast radius for this vulnerability could be extensive, affecting multiple systems if not addressed. Organizations should consider the potential for lateral movement within their networks if an attacker gains access through an exploited vulnerability.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions of the Dell DBUtilDrv2.sys driver are versions 2.5 and 2.6. Organizations should ensure that they are running patched versions to avoid exposure to this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize applying patches and updates provided by Dell to remediate this vulnerability. The vendor advisory provides crucial information on the necessary updates that should be installed to ensure systems are secure.

In addition to updating the driver, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their security measures. This proactive approach will help identify any remaining vulnerabilities and enhance overall security posture.

For further guidance, organizations can refer to the full details in the Dell advisory: patching and remediation practices that enhance security.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor their systems for any anomalous behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. This includes checking logs for unauthorized access patterns and monitoring for any changes in system configurations that deviate from established baselines.

Additionally, implementing network controls to restrict access to sensitive systems can help mitigate potential impacts from this vulnerability.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2021-36276 lies in its potential to highlight weaknesses within access control mechanisms in critical system drivers. Organizations must learn from this vulnerability to strengthen their security frameworks.

As security teams analyze vulnerabilities like this one, they should adopt a comprehensive approach that includes threat modeling, regular security audits, and continuous monitoring to identify and mitigate risks effectively.

For more insights on vulnerability management and best practices, visit our resources on vulnerability management programs and learn how to enhance your organization's security posture.

Additionally, consider exploring our offerings in red teaming to further assess your defenses against potential threats.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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