CVE-2021-23891 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A privilege escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to version 16.0.32 allows a local user to gain elevated privileges by impersonating a client token, potentially leading to bypassing MTP self-defense mechanisms.

Understanding CVE-2021-23891

This CVE refers to a specific vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) that could be exploited by a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

What is CVE-2021-23891?

The CVE-2021-23891 vulnerability involves improper privilege management in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) software versions prior to 16.0.32, enabling a local user to impersonate a client token, thereby gaining elevated privileges that could allow them to bypass MTP self-defense.

The Impact of CVE-2021-23891

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It can result in a local user with low privileges gaining unauthorized elevated access, potentially leading to the bypass of critical self-defense mechanisms in McAfee Total Protection (MTP).

Technical Details of CVE-2021-23891

This section outlines the technical details of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to impersonate a client token, gaining elevated privileges that could be abused to bypass MTP self-defense mechanisms.

Affected Systems and Versions

McAfee Total Protection (MTP) versions prior to 16.0.32 are affected by this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a local user to manipulate client tokens, thereby escalating privileges and potentially compromising the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-23891, users are advised to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update McAfee Total Protection (MTP) to version 16.0.32 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that may indicate unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update security software and apply patches promptly to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Implement least privilege access policies to restrict user permissions and minimize the impact of privilege escalation attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software, including McAfee Total Protection (MTP), is kept up to date with the latest security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.