CVE-2021-45231 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security could allow local attackers to escalate privileges on the affected system.

Understanding CVE-2021-45231

A vulnerability in Trend Micro products that could lead to privilege escalation for local attackers.

What is CVE-2021-45231?

This CVE describes a link following privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security, enabling local attackers to elevate their privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45231

Local attackers could exploit this vulnerability to create specially crafted files with arbitrary content, granting them local privilege escalation on the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45231

Details of the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows local attackers to craft files with arbitrary content, leading to privilege escalation on the affected system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Trend Micro Apex One versions 2019 and SaaS
Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security versions 10.0 SP1 and Services (SaaS)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers must first execute low-privileged code on the target system to exploit this vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate the CVE.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Trend Micro.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update security software and firmware.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Trend Micro.
Apply patches promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.