CVE-2021-31839 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-31839, an improper privilege management vulnerability in McAfee Agent for Windows, allowing unauthorized manipulation of event logs.
A vulnerability has been identified in McAfee Agent for Windows prior to version 5.7.3, allowing a local user to manipulate event information. This could lead to unauthorized addition or removal of events from logs.
Understanding CVE-2021-31839
This CVE pertains to an improper privilege management vulnerability in McAfee Agent for Windows.
What is CVE-2021-31839?
CVE-2021-31839 is a vulnerability in McAfee Agent for Windows that allows a local user to modify event information, potentially leading to tampering with event logs before transmission to the ePO server.
The Impact of CVE-2021-31839
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM, with a CVSS base score of 4.8. It requires low privileges and user interaction, with a local attack vector.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-31839
This section details the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises due to incorrect permissions on the McAfee Agent for Windows event folder, enabling a local user to manipulate event information.
Affected Systems and Versions
McAfee Agent for Windows versions prior to 5.7.3 running on Windows platforms are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
A local user can exploit this vulnerability to add false events or remove legitimate events from the event logs of McAfee Agent for Windows.
Mitigation and Prevention
To secure systems from CVE-2021-31839, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates are highlighted.
Immediate Steps to Take
Administrators should monitor event logs, restrict access to sensitive folders, and apply the latest security updates from McAfee.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement least privilege access, conduct regular security audits, and educate users on cybersecurity best practices.
Patching and Updates
Ensure McAfee Agent for Windows is updated to version 5.7.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.