CVE-2021-31728 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE report highlights a vulnerability in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150 that allows a non-privileged process to execute code in the kernel context, leading to privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2021-31728

This section will cover the details of the CVE-2021-31728 vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-31728?

The vulnerability in zam64.sys and zam32.sys in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150 enables a non-privileged process to elevate privileges by executing code in the driver's context.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31728

The vulnerability exposes ring 0 code execution in the driver context, allowing unauthorized processes to escalate their privileges on the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31728

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-31728 to understand its nature and implications.

Vulnerability Description

Incorrect access control in zam64.sys and zam32.sys allows a non-privileged process to interact with the driver improperly, leading to privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

MalwareFox AntiMalware version 2.74.0.150 is specifically impacted by this vulnerability, putting systems with this version at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging IOCTL commands, the attacker can open a handle to ZemanaAntiMalware, allocate executable memory, install a hook, and execute malicious code, ultimately gaining elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-31728 is crucial for maintaining system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update MalwareFox AntiMalware to a patched version and monitor for any signs of unauthorized privilege escalation or unusual system behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access, monitoring system logs, and ensuring timely security updates can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from MalwareFox and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities and protect the system from potential exploits.