CVE-2021-27086 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Windows Services and Controller App Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was made public by Microsoft on April 13, 2021. It affects various versions of Windows 10 and Windows Server series including 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004, and 20H2. This vulnerability falls under the Impact type of Elevation of Privilege.

Understanding CVE-2021-27086

This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2021-27086 vulnerability including its description, impact, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-27086?

CVE-2021-27086 is an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability in Windows Services and Controller App. This flaw allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27086

The impact of this vulnerability is considered high with a base severity score of 7.8 according to the CVSS v3.1 metrics. It can result in complete control over the system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27086

This section will provide a deeper insight into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-27086, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to escalate their privileges on the system, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information and performing malicious activities.

Affected Systems and Versions

CVE-2021-27086 affects multiple versions of Windows operating systems including Windows 10 versions 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004, and 20H2, as well as Windows Server versions 2019 and 2004.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by executing specific actions to trick the Windows Services and Controller App, allowing them to elevate their privileges and bypass security measures.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss the steps that users and administrators can take to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-27086 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should ensure they have the latest security updates installed on their systems, apply patches released by Microsoft, and implement secure configurations to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, maintaining a regular update cycle, conducting security audits, and implementing access controls are essential long-term practices to enhance the security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Microsoft, subscribe to security bulletins, and promptly apply patches to address vulnerabilities and protect systems from potential exploitation threats.