Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows kernel

1) Use-after-free

EUVDB-ID: #VU57249

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-2021-40449

CWE-ID: CWE-416 - Use After Free

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the Win32k NtGdiResetDC function in Microsoft Windows kernel. A local user can run a specially crafted program to trigger a use-after-free error, when the function ResetDC is executed a second time for the same handle during execution of its own callback, and execute arbitrary code 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 - 11 21H2

Windows Server: 2008 - 2019 2004

External links

http://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-40449
http://securelist.com/mysterysnail-attacks-with-windows-zero-day/104509/
http://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/b7fb3623e31fb36fc3d3a4d99829e42910cad4da4fa7429a2d99a838e004366e

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.