CVE-2021-40443 : Security Advisory and Response

Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2021, with a base severity of HIGH (CVSS score: 7.8).

Understanding CVE-2021-40443

This CVE involves an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System driver.

What is CVE-2021-40443?

CVE ID: CVE-2021-40443
Published Date: October 13, 2021
Vendor: Microsoft

Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability allows attackers to elevate privileges on the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40443

Severity: High (CVSS Score: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Remediation Level: Official Fix
Report Confidence: Confirmed

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40443

This section dives into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Windows Common Log File System driver is prone to an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability, potentially leading to unauthorized privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 1809: All versions less than 10.0.17763.2237
Windows Server 2019: All versions less than 10.0.17763.2237
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation): All versions less than 10.0.17763.2237
And more (refer to vendor's advisory for complete list)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by local attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected Windows systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-40443.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the official patch provided by Microsoft.
Monitor for any suspicious activities on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update systems with the latest security patches.
Enforce the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Install the security updates released by Microsoft to address the Elevation of Privilege vulnerability.