CVE-2021-42278 : Security Advisory and Response

Active Directory Domain Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability discovered on November 9, 2021, poses a HIGH severity risk with a CVSS base score of 7.5.

Understanding CVE-2021-42278

This vulnerability affects various Microsoft Windows Server versions and allows attackers to elevate privileges.

What is CVE-2021-42278?

The Active Directory Domain Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability enables threat actors to gain elevated access rights, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42278

The vulnerability poses a substantial threat, as attackers with local access can exploit it to gain higher privileges, escalating the impact of their malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42278

This section provides a detailed breakdown of the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate Active Directory Domain Services to escalate privileges on affected systems, compromising their security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Below are the affected Microsoft Windows Server versions:

Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server version 2004
Windows Server version 20H2
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
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

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by authenticating locally and executing arbitrary commands to elevate privileges on the targeted systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and applying long-term security practices are essential to mitigate risks associated with CVE-2021-42278.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates and patches promptly.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions.
Monitor and audit Active Directory changes and events for suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations on Windows Server systems.
Conduct security training sessions for IT staff on privilege escalation detection and prevention.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit lateral movement by attackers.

Patching and Updates

Microsoft may release security updates and patches to address CVE-2021-42278. Stay informed about official security advisories and apply patches as soon as they are available.