CVE-2021-45336 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A privilege escalation vulnerability in the Sandbox component of Avast Antivirus that allows local code to gain elevated privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-45336

What is CVE-2021-45336?

The CVE-2021-45336 vulnerability exists in the Sandbox component of Avast Antivirus before version 20.4. It permits local sandboxed code to escalate privileges by utilizing system IPC interfaces, potentially leading to exiting the sandbox and acquiring SYSTEM privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45336

The vulnerability can allow an attacker with local access to execute malicious actions and potentially gain control of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45336

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Sandbox component of Avast Antivirus before version 20.4 allows local sandboxed code to gain elevated privileges using system IPC interfaces.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Avast Antivirus
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 20.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The privilege escalation is achieved through the use of system IPC interfaces, enabling the local sandboxed code to exit the sandbox environment and elevate its privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Avast Antivirus to version 20.4 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system activities for any signs of unauthorized actions or privilege escalation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit the capabilities of users and applications.
Regularly review and update security configurations to address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Avast Antivirus to ensure the protection of the system.