CVE-2021-42976 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

NoMachine Enterprise Desktop is affected by a Buffer Overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode or cause denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-42976

NoMachine Enterprise Desktop is vulnerable to a Buffer Overflow issue that impacts versions above 4.0.346 and below 7.7.4, enabling malicious actors to exploit the IOCTL Handler 0x22001B.

What is CVE-2021-42976?

The vulnerability in NoMachine Enterprise Desktop allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode or trigger a denial of service through specially crafted I/O Request Packets.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42976

The impact includes potential execution of arbitrary code in kernel mode and the ability to cause memory corruption and operating system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42976

NoMachine Enterprise Desktop's vulnerability can be further understood with the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the IOCTL Handler 0x22001B of NoMachine Enterprise Desktop above version 4.0.346 and below version 7.7.4, leading to a Buffer Overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: NoMachine Enterprise Desktop
Versions: Above 4.0.346 and below 7.7.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted I/O Request Packets to NoMachine Enterprise Desktop, triggering the Buffer Overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate and long-term security measures to address CVE-2021-42976:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by NoMachine promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any unusual activities.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security training for employees.
Use network segregation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update and patch NoMachine Enterprise Desktop to the latest secure versions.