CVE-2021-31850 : What You Need to Know

A denial-of-service vulnerability in McAfee Database Security (DBSec) before version 4.8.4 on Windows allows a remote authenticated administrator to trigger a denial-of-service attack. This vulnerability stems from incorrect Archiving configuration, leading to potential data destruction.

Understanding CVE-2021-31850

This section dives into the details of CVE-2021-31850, outlining its impact and technical specifics.

What is CVE-2021-31850?

CVE-2021-31850 is a denial-of-service vulnerability in McAfee Database Security (DBSec) version 4.8.4 and below on Windows systems. It allows a remote authenticated attacker to launch a DoS attack by manipulating Archiving configurations.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31850

The vulnerability poses a medium severity threat with a CVSS base score of 6.1. It can lead to a denial-of-service scenario, potentially causing data destruction on the affected DBSec server.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31850

This section provides a deeper look into the vulnerability's technical aspects, affected systems, and exploitation methods.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the misconfiguration of Archiving through the User interface, permitting the creation of directories and files in critical Windows system locations.

Affected Systems and Versions

McAfee Database Security (DBSec) versions prior to 4.8.4 running on Windows are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

A remote authenticated attacker with high privileges can exploit the misconfigured Archiving settings to trigger a denial-of-service attack, compromising system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems from CVE-2021-31850, immediate actions and long-term security practices are advised along with timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update McAfee Database Security (DBSec) to version 4.8.4 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to vulnerable services and directories to trusted entities only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit critical system configurations to detect anomalies.
Educate users on safe practices to prevent unauthorized system modifications.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from McAfee and promptly apply security patches to stay protected.