Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows kernel



| Updated: 2021-10-18
Risk High
Patch available YES
Number of vulnerabilities 1
CVE-ID CVE-2021-40449
CWE-ID CWE-416
Exploitation vector Local
Public exploit This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.
Vulnerable software
 Windows
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Windows Server
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor Microsoft

Security Bulletin

This security bulletin contains one high risk vulnerability.

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 10.0.22000.194

Windows Server: 2008 R2 - 2019 2004

CPE2.3 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.



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