CVE-2021-20099 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Nessus Agent 8.2.4 and earlier for Windows have been discovered to have multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities, allowing an authenticated local administrator to execute specific Windows executables as the Nessus host.

Understanding CVE-2021-20099

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2021-20099 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-20099?

CVE-2021-20099 pertains to local privilege escalation vulnerabilities in Nessus Agent 8.2.4 and earlier for Windows.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20099

The vulnerability could enable a local administrator to run particular Windows executables as the Nessus host, potentially leading to unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20099

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-20099.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authenticated local administrator to escalate privileges and execute specific Windows executables.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nessus Agent 8.2.4 and earlier for Windows are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Local attackers with administrative privileges can exploit the vulnerability to execute arbitrary Windows executables.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-20099.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Nessus Agent to a secure version, implement the principle of least privilege, and monitor for unauthorized system changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain regular security updates, conduct security trainings for administrators, and utilize endpoint protection solutions to enhance security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security patches and updates from Tenable to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen system security.