CVE-2021-43237: Microsoft Windows Update Assistant Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Published Dec 14, 2021
·
Updated

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. Additional user interaction is required in that an administrator must begin a version update of Windows. The specific flaw exists within Windows Update Assistant. By creating a directory junction, an attacker can abuse Windows Update Assistant to change the DACL on an arbitrary file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of SYSTEM.

Other sources

Windows Setup Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Affected Software

42 affected componentsFixes available
Microsoft Windows Server=20H2
Microsoft Windows Server=2004
Microsoft Windows 11=21H2
Microsoft Windows 11=21H2
Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Microsoft Windows 10=20H2
Microsoft Windows 10=20H2
Microsoft Windows 10=20H2
Microsoft Windows 10=21H1
Microsoft Windows 10=21H1
Microsoft Windows 10=21H1
Microsoft Windows 10=21H2
Microsoft Windows 10=21H2
Microsoft Windows 10=21H2
Microsoft Windows 10=1909
Microsoft Windows 10=1909
Microsoft Windows 10=1909
Microsoft Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 10=20h2
Microsoft Windows 10=20h2
Microsoft Windows 10=20h2
Microsoft Windows 10=21h1
Microsoft Windows 10=21h1
Microsoft Windows 10=21h1
Microsoft Windows 10=21h2
Microsoft Windows 10=21h2
Microsoft Windows 10=21h2
Microsoft Windows 10=1909
Microsoft Windows 10=1909
Microsoft Windows 10=1909
Microsoft Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 10=2004
Microsoft Windows 11
Microsoft Windows 11
Microsoft Windows Server=20h2
Microsoft Windows Server=2022
Microsoft Windows Server 2016=2004
Microsoft Windows

Event History

Dec 14, 2021
CVE Published
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Dec 15, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:15 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:15 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Apr 1, 2025
Advisory Published
via ZDI·05:16 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2021-43237?

CVE-2021-43237 is categorized as a privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-43237?

To fix CVE-2021-43237, apply the security updates provided by Microsoft for affected Windows versions.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2021-43237?

CVE-2021-43237 affects Microsoft Windows 10 versions 20H2, 21H1, 21H2 and Windows Server 2022.

4

What kind of attack does CVE-2021-43237 enable?

CVE-2021-43237 allows local attackers to escalate privileges on the affected Windows installations.

5

Is user interaction required to exploit CVE-2021-43237?

Yes, additional user interaction is required to exploit CVE-2021-43237 after gaining low-privileged access.

Contact

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