CVE-2021-20051 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

SonicWall Global VPN Client versions 4.10.7.1117 and earlier are impacted by a DLL Search Order Hijacking vulnerability. This CVE poses a risk of command execution on the target system if exploited locally.

Understanding CVE-2021-20051

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2021-20051?

CVE-2021-20051 is a DLL Search Order Hijacking vulnerability found in SonicWall Global VPN Client versions 4.10.7.1117 and earlier. It allows a local attacker to execute commands on the target system.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20051

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized command execution on the affected system, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20051

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The DLL Search Order Hijacking vulnerability in SonicWall Global VPN Client versions 4.10.7.1117 and earlier stems from a flaw in one of the installer components. This flaw enables a local attacker to execute commands on the target system.

Affected Systems and Versions

SonicWall Global VPN Client versions 4.10.7.1117 and earlier are confirmed to be vulnerable to this exploit, emphasizing the importance of timely mitigation.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2021-20051, a malicious actor would need local access to the system to manipulate the DLL search order, subsequently executing arbitrary commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines immediate steps to mitigate the risk and encourages the adoption of long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply security updates promptly, monitor for any suspicious activities, and restrict local access to critical systems where the affected software is utilized.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a robust security posture, including regular software updates, network segmentation, and access controls, can enhance overall resilience against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

SonicWall has likely released patches to address CVE-2021-20051. Organizations should prioritize the installation of these patches to remediate the DLL Search Order Hijacking vulnerability.