CVE-2021-41379 is a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Installer that allows for privilege escalation. This vulnerability is classified as medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a moderate risk to affected systems. The potential for exploitation means that attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access.
Published on November 10, 2021, this vulnerability affects various versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows Server editions. Organizations utilizing these systems are at risk, particularly if they do not implement the necessary updates.
With the vulnerability being known and listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, there is a heightened urgency for organizations to act quickly. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The risk to organizations includes the potential for attackers to perform unauthorized actions on affected systems. This may lead to data breaches or further compromise of the network infrastructure.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows for privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Installer. The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects its medium severity, which is significant enough to warrant immediate attention. The vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and various versions of Windows Server.
The official CVE description states: "Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability." The vulnerability was published in the CVE database on November 10, 2021, and has been assigned CWE-59.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of the Windows Installer, which can be exploited through local attack vectors. The attack complexity is considered low, and attackers require low privileges to exploit this vulnerability without needing any user interaction.
The impact on confidentiality and integrity is none, but the availability impact is high, which means successful exploitation could lead to system outages or denial of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world risk is significant, as this vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges on affected systems. Organizations that fail to patch are at risk of unauthorized access and potential data loss. The blast radius is considerable, as many versions of Windows are affected.
The urgency for remediation is underscored by its inclusion in the KEV catalog, which indicates that the vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Yes |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include various editions of Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server. Specific vulnerable versions are Windows 10 1507, 1607, 1809, 1909, 2004, 20H2, 21H1, Windows 11 21H2, Windows Server 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 20H2.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the patches provided by Microsoft to address this vulnerability. It is crucial to stay updated on the latest security updates to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability. In cases where a patch is unavailable, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening and monitoring to detect any anomalous behavior.
For further information, organizations can refer to resources such as the penetration testing services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of compromise related to unauthorized access attempts. Behavioral anomalies in system activity may signal exploitation attempts. Network signatures should be established to identify malicious activity related to this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-41379 lies in its demonstration of the vulnerabilities that can exist in critical system components such as Windows Installer. Security teams must remain vigilant, as this vulnerability exemplifies the ongoing risks associated with software supply chains.
Organizations should learn from this incident and implement comprehensive security practices, including regular assessments and updates. For more insights, consider our vulnerability management program and keep abreast of the latest threat intelligence.
For further reading on related topics, refer to our articles on penetration testing methodology, cloud security assessments, and API security testing for comprehensive approaches to security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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