#VU54917 Buffer overflow in Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2021-34481

Vulnerability identifier: #VU54917

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 7.1 [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:P/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-34481

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 when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged file operations. A local user can use a specially crafted application to trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the target system with SYSTEM privileges.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any official solution to address this vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows: 8.1 RT - 8.1, 10 S, 10 Mobile, 10 Gold, 10 20H2 10.0.19042.572, 10 21H1 10.0.19043.985, 10 1507 10.0.10240.16405, 10 1511 10.0.10586.3, 10 1607 10.0.14393.10, 10 1703 10.0.15063.138, 10 1709 10.0.16299.19, 10 1803 10.0.17134.48, 10 1809 10.0.17763.1, 10 1903 10.0.18362.116, 10 1909 10.0.18363.476, 10 2004 10.0.19041.264, 10

Windows Server: 2012 R2 - 2012, 2016 10.0.14393.10, 2019 10.0.17763.1 - 2019 2004

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External links
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-34481

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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?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.