CVE-2021-20117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-20117, a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Nessus Agent 8.3.0 and earlier versions. Understand the impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A local privilege escalation vulnerability was found in Nessus Agent 8.3.0 and earlier versions, potentially enabling authenticated local administrators to execute specific files on the host.
Understanding CVE-2021-20117
This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-20117 vulnerability affecting Nessus Agent.
What is CVE-2021-20117?
The CVE-2021-20117 vulnerability refers to a local privilege escalation issue impacting Nessus Agent 8.3.0 and previous versions. It allows a local administrator with authentication to execute certain programs on the host system.
The Impact of CVE-2021-20117
The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to elevate their privileges on a vulnerable system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-20117
Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-20117 vulnerability in this section.
Vulnerability Description
Nessus Agent 8.3.0 and earlier versions contain a flaw that enables authenticated local administrators to execute specific files on the Agent's host system.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Nessus Agent versions up to 8.3.0.
Exploitation Mechanism
An authenticated local administrator could exploit this vulnerability to run unauthorized executables on the Nessus Agent host.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-20117 in this section.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update Nessus Agent to a patched version to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to trusted administrators can help mitigate the risk.
Long-Term Security Practices
Establishing comprehensive access control policies, monitoring system activity, and applying security updates regularly are essential for maintaining system security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.