CVE-2021-33101 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-33101, a vulnerability in Intel(R) GPA software before version 21.2 that could potentially lead to an escalation of privilege via local access.

Understanding CVE-2021-33101

CVE-2021-33101 highlights an uncontrolled search path issue in Intel(R) GPA software, allowing an authenticated user to exploit it for privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2021-33101?

The vulnerability in Intel(R) GPA software before version 21.2 enables an authenticated user to potentially escalate privileges through local access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33101

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in an attacker gaining elevated privileges, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33101

Here are some key technical details related to CVE-2021-33101:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an uncontrolled search path in Intel(R) GPA software, opening up the possibility of privilege escalation for authenticated users.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue impacts Intel(R) GPA software versions before 21.2, making systems with these versions vulnerable to privilege escalation attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated user can exploit the vulnerability by leveraging the uncontrolled search path in the software to escalate their privileges via local access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-33101, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Intel(R) GPA software to version 21.2 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activity that might indicate exploit attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access based on their roles and responsibilities.
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to proactively identify and address security gaps.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Intel for Intel(R) GPA software to ensure your systems are protected from known vulnerabilities.