CVE-2021-45339 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the privilege escalation flaw in Avast Antivirus pre-20.4 allowing local users to gain elevated privileges by 'hollowing' trusted processes, and learn how to mitigate this threat.
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Avast Antivirus allows a local user to gain elevated privileges by 'hollowing' trusted processes, potentially bypassing Avast self-defense.
Understanding CVE-2021-45339
This CVE identifies a privilege escalation vulnerability in Avast Antivirus that could be exploited by a local user to elevate privileges on the system.
What is CVE-2021-45339?
The vulnerability in Avast Antivirus, before version 20.4, permits a local user to achieve elevated privileges through a technique known as 'hollowing' trusted processes. This could lead to bypassing Avast's self-defense mechanisms.
The Impact of CVE-2021-45339
Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker with local access to execute malicious activities with higher system privileges, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-45339
This section outlines specific technical details of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Avast Antivirus allows a local user to escalate privileges through 'hollowing' trusted processes. This manipulation can lead to the circumvention of Avast's self-defense mechanisms.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: Avast Antivirus
- Versions: All versions prior to 20.4
Exploitation Mechanism
The exploit involves a local user leveraging the privilege escalation vulnerability in Avast Antivirus to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized system access.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2021-45339 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Avast Antivirus to version 20.4 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Restrict local user permissions to minimize the impact of privilege escalation attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access rights.
- Regularly monitor and audit system activities to detect unauthorized actions promptly.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by Avast promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.