CVE-2021-42101 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service contain uncontrolled search path element vulnerabilities that could lead to privilege escalation for local attackers.

Understanding CVE-2021-42101

What is CVE-2021-42101?

The CVE-2021-42101 vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service allows a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected systems by executing low-privileged code.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42101

This vulnerability could result in a local attacker gaining escalated privileges on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42101

Vulnerability Description

The uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service enables a local attacker to escalate privileges by leveraging low-privileged code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Trend Micro Apex One
Vendor: Trend Micro
Versions: 2019, SaaS

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must first execute low-privileged code on the target system, providing the gateway for privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Trend Micro promptly.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent security gaps.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Monitor system logs and user activities for any suspicious behavior.

Patching and Updates

Update Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service to the latest versions to address the uncontrolled search path element vulnerability and prevent potential privilege escalation.