CVE-2021-40476 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Windows AppContainer Elevation Of Privilege Vulnerability was published on October 13, 2021, by Microsoft affecting various Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server, and Windows 11.

Understanding CVE-2021-40476

This CVE discloses an Elevation of Privilege vulnerability impacting multiple Microsoft Windows versions.

What is CVE-2021-40476?

Vulnerability Type: Elevation of Privilege
CVE ID: CVE-2021-40476
Published Date: October 13, 2021
Severity: High (CVSS Base Score: 7.5)
CVE Provider: Microsoft

The Impact of CVE-2021-40476

This vulnerability allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected Windows systems, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40476

This section covers a detailed technical analysis of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw lies in Windows AppContainer, enabling threat actors to perform privilege escalation activities.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 1809, 1909, 21H1, 20H2, 2004, 1507, 1607
Windows Server 2019, 2022, 2016
Windows 8.1, Server 2012, 2012 R2
Windows 11 version 21H2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by executing specially crafted applications, gaining elevated privileges on the targeted systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn the steps to safeguard your systems against CVE-2021-40476.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the latest security patches provided by Microsoft.
Monitor and restrict suspicious activities on Windows systems.
Employ the principle of least privilege to limit user access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.
Educate users on secure computing practices.
Utilize endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent privilege escalation attempts.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update Windows OS with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities.