CVE-2021-1690 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2021
Windows WalletService Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-1681, CVE-2021-1686, CVE-2021-1687.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The Windows WalletService Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Windows operating systems that allows unprivileged attackers to escalate their privileges to system level access. This vulnerability specifically affects the WalletService component which manages digital wallets and credential storage functionalities within the Windows ecosystem. The flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2021-1681, CVE-2021-1686, and CVE-2021-1687 which target different Windows components, CVE-2021-1690 focuses specifically on the WalletService daemon that runs with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and privilege management within the WalletService executable. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the service's handling of specific API calls or file operations. The flaw typically manifests when the service processes untrusted input from local applications or user interactions, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute code with SYSTEM-level privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that enables various attack vectors including privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data and inadequate privilege separation mechanisms within the service architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1690 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating significant risks for enterprise environments and individual users alike. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive credentials, access encrypted data, and potentially propagate to other systems within a network. The WalletService operates continuously and with elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking long-term access to compromised systems. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications, compromised web content, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into interacting with malicious payloads. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise settings where the WalletService might be used to store corporate credentials, authentication tokens, and other sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1690 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security enhancements. Microsoft has released security updates that address this vulnerability through proper input validation and privilege management improvements in the WalletService component. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant Windows updates as soon as possible to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual WalletService activity, and conducting regular security assessments can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege enforcement and proper service isolation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious API calls to the WalletService to detect potential exploitation attempts before they succeed.