CVE-2021-38416 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Delta Electronics DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior have been found to insecurely load libraries, potentially enabling attackers to exploit DLL hijacking and gain control over the system. The CVE was published on October 21, 2021, with a high base score of 7.8.

Understanding CVE-2021-38416

This section delves into the details of the CVE including its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-38416?

The CVE-2021-38416 pertains to Delta Electronics DIALink software versions 1.2.4.0 and earlier. The vulnerability lies in the insecure loading of libraries, paving the way for potential DLL hijacking attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38416

With a CVSS base score of 7.8, this CVE poses a high severity threat. Attackers could exploit the flaw to achieve high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38416

This section covers the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Delta Electronics DIALink allows attackers to utilize DLL hijacking, potentially leading to a complete takeover of systems where the software is installed.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Delta Electronics DIALink up to and including 1.2.4.0 are impacted by this vulnerability, making them susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

The attack complexity is rated as low, and the attack vector is local, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The privilege required for exploitation is low, and no user interaction is necessary.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the immediate steps to take to address the CVE, as well as long-term security practices and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Delta Electronics is currently working on an update to address the vulnerabilities. Users are advised to apply the patch as soon as it becomes available.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should implement secure coding practices, conduct regular security assessments, and stay informed about software vulnerabilities and updates.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Delta Electronics for DIALink software and apply them promptly to ensure protection against potential exploits.