CVE-2021-33526 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in MB connect line mbDIALUP versions <= 3.9R0.0, allowing a low privileged local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This CVE was published on July 23, 2021, by CERTVDE.

Understanding CVE-2021-33526

This section will delve into the details surrounding CVE-2021-33526, covering its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-33526?

The vulnerability in MB connect line mbDIALUP versions <= 3.9R0.0 enables a low privileged local attacker to instruct a service to execute a malicious OpenVPN configuration, leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33526

With a CVSS base score of 7.8, this vulnerability poses a high risk, allowing attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33526

This section will provide technical insights into CVE-2021-33526, including its vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a low privileged local attacker to send commands to a service running with NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM to execute a malicious OpenVPN configuration, resulting in arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

MB connect line mbDIALUP versions <= 3.9R0.0 are affected by this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a command to the service running with elevated privileges, instructing it to execute a malicious OpenVPN configuration.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will explore the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-33526.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their systems to version 3.9R0.5 to address the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing proper privilege management practices and regularly updating system versions can enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security patches and applying updates promptly is crucial to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.