CVE-2021-42563 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2021-42563 article provides details on an Unquoted Service Path vulnerability in NI Service Locator on Windows versions prior to 18.0.

Understanding CVE-2021-42563

This CVE-2021-42563 vulnerability allows an authorized local user to inject arbitrary code into the unquoted service path, potentially leading to privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2021-42563?

The Unquoted Service Path vulnerability in NI Service Locator (nisvcloc.exe) before version 18.0 on Windows enables local users to exploit the system by inserting malicious code into the service path.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42563

The vulnerability could be exploited by an authorized local user to execute arbitrary code in the system context, potentially escalating their privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42563

This section outlines the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-42563 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

NI Service Locator (nisvcloc.exe) in versions earlier than 18.0 on Windows is affected by an Unquoted Service Path issue, facilitating the injection of unauthorized code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions prior to 18.0 are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows a local user to manipulate the unquoted service path, enabling them to insert arbitrary code, which can lead to privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2021-42563 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement proper quoting in service paths to prevent code injection.
Regularly monitor and audit service configurations for security vulnerabilities.
Restrict user permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security training for users on safe computing practices.
Keep system and software up to date with the latest security patches.
Employ robust security solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest updates and patches provided by NI for NI Service Locator to address the Unquoted Service Path vulnerability.