CVE-2021-40464 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Windows Nearby Sharing Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was published by Microsoft on October 12, 2021. It has a CVSS base score of 8.0 (High).

Understanding CVE-2021-40464

This CVE details an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability affecting various Microsoft Windows versions.

What is CVE-2021-40464?

The CVE-2021-40464 is an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability that allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40464

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.0 (High), making it a significant security issue that could result in unauthorized privilege escalation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40464

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability resides in Windows Nearby Sharing and could be exploited to elevate privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Microsoft products and versions 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

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code by persuading a user to access a malicious file or website.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understand how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-40464 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security updates provided by Microsoft promptly.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict unnecessary access.
Educate users about the risks of downloading files from unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training and awareness programs for users to recognize phishing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft to address the CVE-2021-40464 vulnerability.