Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows kernel

1) Buffer overflow

EUVDB-ID: #VU54723

Risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.4 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-31979

CWE-ID: CWE-119 - Memory corruption

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error in Windows kernel. A local user can run a specially crafted program to trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the system with elevated privileges.

Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 7 - 10

Windows Server: 2008 R2 - 2019 2004

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10:Gold:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10:Mobile:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10:S:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 20H2:10.0.19042.572:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 21H1:10.0.19043.985:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1507:10.0.10240.16405:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1511:10.0.10586.3:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10 1607:10.0.14393.10:*:*:*:*:*:
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:

External links

http://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-31979

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.