CVE-2021-40470 : What You Need to Know

DirectX Graphics Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability was disclosed by Microsoft on October 12, 2021, affecting various Windows versions.

Understanding CVE-2021-40470

CVE-2021-40470 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability identified in the DirectX Graphics Kernel.

What is CVE-2021-40470?

The vulnerability allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems, posing a significant security risk.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40470

The base severity of CVE-2021-40470 is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40470

This section provides more detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the DirectX Graphics Kernel, enabling attackers to elevate their privileges on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Windows versions are affected by CVE-2021-40470:

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)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges by executing specially crafted code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-40470, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior indicating a potential exploitation attempt.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.
Regularly update and patch all software to prevent known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are promptly patched with the latest security updates to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-40470.