CVE-2023-21541 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This is a Windows Task Scheduler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability that was published on January 10, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-21541

This vulnerability impacts various Microsoft operating systems, potentially allowing attackers to elevate their privileges.

What is CVE-2023-21541?

The CVE-2023-21541 vulnerability is specifically categorized as an Elevation of Privilege issue, indicating that unauthorized users could potentially gain higher levels of access than intended on affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21541

The impact of this vulnerability is considered to be high, with a base CVSSv3.1 score of 7.8, highlighting the severity of the issue and the potential risks it poses to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21541

This vulnerability affects several Microsoft products across different platforms and versions. Here are the key technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the Windows Task Scheduler on impacted systems, leading to an elevation of privilege and potential unauthorized access to critical system resources.

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 Version 1809
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2022
Windows 10 Version 20H2
Windows 11 version 21H2
Windows 10 Version 21H2
Windows 11 version 22H2
Windows 10 Version 22H2
Windows 10 Version 1507
Windows 10 Version 1607
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Windows 7
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Windows 8.1
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the Windows Task Scheduler functionality on the affected systems to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21541, immediate actions and long-term security practices should be implemented to mitigate risks and ensure system protection.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate steps include applying security patches and updates provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access controls, monitoring system activity, and maintaining up-to-date security protocols can help prevent similar privilege escalation attacks in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for and apply security patches released by Microsoft to address known vulnerabilities, including CVE-2023-21541, and stay vigilant against potential security threats.