CVE-2021-31836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-31836, an improper privilege management vulnerability in maconfig for McAfee Agent for Windows. Find out its impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability has been identified in McAfee Agent for Windows that allows a local user to access sensitive information due to improper privilege management. Here's all you need to know about CVE-2021-31836.
Understanding CVE-2021-31836
This section delves into the specifics of the CVE, outlining the vulnerability, its impact, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-31836?
The vulnerability involves an improper privilege management issue in maconfig for McAfee Agent for Windows versions prior to 5.7.4. This flaw enables a local user to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The Impact of CVE-2021-31836
The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with a CVSS base score of 5.6. It allows a low-privileged local user to exploit the flaw and access confidential information.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-31836
In this section, the technical aspects of the vulnerability are discussed in detail, including the description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from improper privilege management in maconfig for McAfee Agent for Windows versions earlier than 5.7.4. It permits unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts McAfee Agent for Windows versions that are earlier than 5.7.4 running on the Windows platform.
Exploitation Mechanism
The flaw can be exploited by a low-privileged local user by running the utility from any location within the file system.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-31836.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to upgrade McAfee Agent for Windows to version 5.7.4 or later to address the vulnerability. Restricting access to sensitive information is also recommended.
Long-Term Security Practices
Maintaining the latest software updates, enforcing the principle of least privilege, and monitoring system activity can enhance long-term security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by McAfee to ensure that systems are protected from known vulnerabilities.