CVE-2021-36973 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-36973 impacting Windows 10 and Windows Server. Understand the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies to protect your systems.
Windows Redirected Drive Buffering System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published by Microsoft on September 14, 2021, impacting various Windows versions including Windows 10 and Windows Server.
Understanding CVE-2021-36973
This section provides an overview of the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-36973?
CVE-2021-36973 is an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability affecting multiple Windows versions, allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges on the target system.
The Impact of CVE-2021-36973
The vulnerability has a base severity of HIGH with a CVSS score of 7.8, making it a significant security threat to affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-36973
Below are the detailed technical aspects of the vulnerability:
Vulnerability Description
Windows Redirected Drive Buffering System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability enables attackers to escalate their privileges by exploiting a flaw in the affected Windows versions.
Affected Systems and Versions
Several versions of Windows, including Windows 10 Version 1809, 1909, 21H1, Server 2019, Server 2022, and more are impacted by this vulnerability across various platforms.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the system's redirected drive buffering, leading to the elevation of privileges and potential system compromise.
Mitigation and Prevention
To safeguard your systems from CVE-2021-36973, consider the following actions:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly to address the vulnerability.
- Implement principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor security bulletins and update your systems accordingly.
- Conduct security training for staff to increase awareness of social engineering attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that your systems are up to date with the latest security patches from Microsoft to mitigate the risk of exploitation.