CVE-2021-31776 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Aviatrix VPN Client before version 2.14.14 on Windows has a vulnerability that allows local privilege escalation to the SYSTEM user. This occurs when unprivileged users can write to directories meant for administrators.

Understanding CVE-2021-31776

This section will cover what CVE-2021-31776 entails and its impact, technical details, and mitigation methods.

What is CVE-2021-31776?

CVE-2021-31776 affects Aviatrix VPN Client versions prior to 2.14.14 on Windows. It involves an unquoted search path that can be exploited for local privilege escalation to the SYSTEM user.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31776

The vulnerability enables unauthorized users to write to directories restricted to administrators, potentially leading to escalation of privileges and unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31776

Let's delve deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Aviatrix VPN Client for Windows allows local privilege escalation to the SYSTEM user through an unquoted search path, when misconfigured to permit unprivileged users to write to restricted directories.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Aviatrix VPN Client versions before 2.14.14 on the Windows platform.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the unquoted search path in Aviatrix VPN Client on Windows to gain elevated privileges up to the SYSTEM user.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems by taking immediate action following the steps below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Aviatrix VPN Client to version 2.14.14 or later.
Restrict write access for unprivileged users to sensitive directories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user access and permissions.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user capabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep all software and applications up to date with the latest security patches and versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.