CVE-2021-40455 : What You Need to Know

Windows Installer Spoofing Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2021, affecting various Microsoft Windows versions.

Understanding CVE-2021-40455

This CVE identified as Windows Installer Spoofing Vulnerability impacts multiple Windows versions.

What is CVE-2021-40455?

The CVE-2021-40455 refers to the Windows Installer Spoofing Vulnerability, presenting a medium severity issue affecting Microsoft Windows.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40455

The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and can lead to privilege escalation attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40455

Windows Installer Spoofing Vulnerability includes the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to spoof the Windows Installer files, leading to potential security risks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Windows systems are affected:

Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows 10 Version 1909
Windows 10 Version 21H1
Windows Server 2022
Windows 10 Version 2004
Windows Server version 2004
Windows 10 Version 20H2
Windows Server version 20H2
Windows 11 version 21H2
Windows 10 Version 1507
Windows 10 Version 1607
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows 7
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Windows 8.1
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to manipulate Windows Installer files, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems against CVE-2021-40455 with these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
Monitor for any abnormal activities on the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a strong software whitelist policy to prevent unauthorized software installations.
Regularly conduct security assessments and audits on your systems.

Patching and Updates

Keep all Windows systems up to date with the latest security patches from Microsoft.