CVE-2021-40466 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE article provides details about the Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability published by Microsoft.

Understanding CVE-2021-40466

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE concerning a elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows systems.

What is CVE-2021-40466?

The CVE-2021-40466 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting various versions of Microsoft Windows systems. It allows an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40466

The impact of this vulnerability is considered high with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It poses risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40466

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability, named Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege, allows attackers to escalate their privileges on the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

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 attackers to gain elevated privileges through specific actions on the affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-40466.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security patches provided by Microsoft.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Keep systems up to date with the latest patches and updates.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are patched with the latest updates from Microsoft to address the vulnerability.