Vulnerability identifier: #VU55697

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 7.5 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-36948

CWE-ID: CWE-119

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Windows
Operating systems & Components / Operating system
Windows Server
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Microsoft

Description

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

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the Windows Update Medic Service. A local user can run a specially crafted program to 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: 10 1809 10.0.17763.1, 10 1909 10.0.18363.476, 10 2004 10.0.19041.264, 10 20H2 10.0.19042.572, 10 21H1 10.0.19043.985, 10 1507 10.0.10240.16405, 10 1903 10.0.18362.116, 10 1803 10.0.17134.48, 10 1709 10.0.16299.19, 10 1703 10.0.15063.138, 10 1607 10.0.14393.10, 10 1511 10.0.10586.3

Windows Server: 2019 10.0.17763.1 - 2019 2004

---

External links
http://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-36948

---

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.