CVE-2021-3423 : Security Advisory and Response

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security prior to version 6.6.23.329 is affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in the openssl component, allowing an attacker to load a third-party DLL to elevate privileges. This article provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-3423.

Understanding CVE-2021-3423

CVE-2021-3423 is a Privilege Escalation vulnerability in Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security that affects versions before 6.6.23.329. The vulnerability enables an attacker to escalate privileges by exploiting the uncontrolled search path element in the openssl component.

What is CVE-2021-3423?

The CVE-2021-3423 vulnerability in Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security allows threat actors to load a third-party DLL, leading to privilege escalation. This security flaw impacts systems running versions earlier than 6.6.23.329.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3423

With a CVSS base score of 7.8, CVE-2021-3423 poses a high severity threat. The attack complexity is high, requiring low privileges but yielding significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The exploit vector is local, without user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3423

The vulnerability arises from an Uncontrolled Search Path Element issue in the openssl component used by Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. The affected versions, specifically those before 6.6.23.329, are susceptible to privilege escalation through the loading of unauthorized DLLs.

Vulnerability Description

The Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security allows threat actors to load malicious DLLs and escalate their privileges on the affected system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security versions prior to 6.6.23.329 are impacted by this vulnerability, putting organizations at risk of privilege escalation attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the search path to load arbitrary DLLs, enabling them to elevate their privileges on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-3423 and protect systems from potential exploitation, immediate action and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should apply the automatic update to version 6.6.23.329 provided by Bitdefender to mitigate the Privilege Escalation vulnerability in GravityZone Business Security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing regular security updates, conducting security assessments, and monitoring for unauthorized system changes are essential for maintaining a secure environment.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Bitdefender and promptly apply patches to ensure that systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.