Link following in Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2021-43237
Published: December 14, 2021 / Updated: January 6, 2022
Vulnerability identifier: #VU58955
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear
CVE-ID: CVE-2021-43237
CWE-ID: CWE-59
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vendor: Microsoft
Affected software:
Windows
Windows Server
Windows
Windows Server
Detailed vulnerability description
The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.
The vulnerability exists due to insecure link following in Windows Setup. A local user can create a symbolic link to arbitrary file on the system and overwrite it.
Successful exploitation of the vulnerability allows privilege escalation but requires that an administrator must begin a version update of Windows.
How to mitigate CVE-2021-43237
Install updates from vendor's website.