CVE-2021-36742 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Trend Micro Apex One, Apex One as a Service, OfficeScan XG, and Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected installations. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, indicating a high level of risk.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to systems and potential data breaches, making it critical to address this vulnerability promptly. The vulnerability was published on July 29, 2021, and has since been analyzed with remediation available from Trend Micro.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, which pertains to improper input validation. This classification indicates that the flaw stems from the system's failure to adequately validate input, allowing for privilege escalation attacks. Given its severity and the potential impact, organizations are advised to stay vigilant and monitor for any signs of exploitation.
Trend Micro has acknowledged the vulnerability and provided guidance for remediation. Organizations should follow their patching instructions to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-36742.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2021-36742 is described as an improper input validation vulnerability that affects multiple Trend Micro products, specifically Apex One, Apex One as a Service, OfficeScan XG, and Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1. The vulnerability was published on July 29, 2021, and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, which qualifies as high severity.
The vulnerability allows a local attacker to escalate privileges, which may lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive data. The attack vector is local, requiring low privileges and no user interaction, thus increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to vendor patch.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-36742 lies in the improper validation of input data. Attackers may leverage this weakness by executing low-privileged code on the target system, leading to privilege escalation. The attack complexity is classified as low, meaning that the vulnerability can be exploited with relative ease by individuals with basic technical skills.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all rated as high. This indicates that successful exploitation could lead to significant damage, including unauthorized data access and potential system outages.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2021-36742 is considerable, as organizations utilizing affected Trend Micro products may face serious security breaches. The blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, given that it impacts multiple high-use products, which increases the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability.
Based on the CVSS score of 7.8 and its inclusion in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, organizations are strongly urged to apply patches as soon as possible. Failure to remediate this vulnerability could lead to escalated attacks and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Trend Micro Apex One, Apex One as a Service, OfficeScan XG, and Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1. Organizations should upgrade to the latest versions as soon as possible to mitigate the risks posed by this vulnerability. If version information is missing, it is recommended to consider all versions prior to vendor patch as vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to remediate this vulnerability effectively. In the absence of patches, recommended workarounds include configuring security settings to limit access and monitoring for unusual activities. Implementing network controls can also help mitigate potential threats associated with this vulnerability.
For further guidance on security practices, organizations can refer to our penetration testing services that can help identify similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2021-36742, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of suspicious behavior. Look for unusual privilege escalations and unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, network signatures should be established to identify any anomalous traffic patterns that could indicate an exploitation attempt.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-36742 highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and timely patching for vulnerabilities in security products. Security teams should ensure that they have a robust vulnerability management program in place to address such vulnerabilities swiftly. Furthermore, understanding the nature of the vulnerabilities and their potential impact can guide future security initiatives.
Trend Micro's advisory on this vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat landscape. Organizations should also consider adopting penetration testing methodologies to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Finally, engaging in a comprehensive security assessment can help organizations to not only address existing vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-36742 but also to strengthen their overall security posture against future threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)