CVE-2021-28321 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published by Microsoft on April 13, 2021. It affects multiple versions of Windows and Microsoft Visual Studio, leading to a high severity security risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-28321

This section will cover what CVE-2021-28321 is, the impact it has, technical details, and how to mitigate the risk.

What is CVE-2021-28321?

CVE-2021-28321 is an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability in the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service, which allows an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28321

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS base score of 7.8, posing a significant threat to the security of Windows operating systems and Microsoft Visual Studio.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28321

Let's delve into the technical aspects of this vulnerability to understand how it affects different systems and versions.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper privilege management within the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service, providing an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit and escalate their privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004, 20H2, Windows Server 2019, and several versions of Microsoft Visual Studio are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves launching a specific attack on the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector Service to gain unauthorized elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems from the risks associated with CVE-2021-28321, follow the recommended security measures outlined below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update your operating systems and software to mitigate potential security vulnerabilities.
Implement least privilege access controls to restrict unauthorized access to critical system components.

Patching and Updates

Keep an eye on security advisories from Microsoft and promptly apply patches and security updates to protect your systems from known vulnerabilities.