CVE-2021-23873 : Security Advisory and Response

A Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to version 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain elevated privileges and potentially cause Denial of Service by manipulating Junction link.

Understanding CVE-2021-23873

This CVE involves a Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) that could lead to elevated user privileges and arbitrary file deletion on Windows systems.

What is CVE-2021-23873?

The vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) allows a local user to gain elevated privileges and perform arbitrary file deletion as the SYSTEM user by manipulating a Junction link.

The Impact of CVE-2021-23873

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It can lead to Denial of Service by a local user gaining elevated privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-23873

This section covers specific technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) allows a local user to gain elevated privileges and perform arbitrary file deletion by manipulating a Junction link.

Affected Systems and Versions

McAfee Total Protection (MTP) versions prior to 16.0.30 on the Windows platform are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a local user to gain elevated privileges through manipulation of a Junction link.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are some steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-23873.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update McAfee Total Protection to version 16.0.30 or newer to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege and regularly updating security software can help mitigate risks.

Patching and Updates

Frequent patching and staying updated with security advisories are essential in maintaining a secure system.