CVE-2021-1696 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2021
Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
The Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1696 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft's Windows operating system that affects the graphics rendering subsystem. This vulnerability resides in the Windows Graphics Component and specifically impacts how the system handles certain graphics operations, creating an information disclosure condition that could potentially expose sensitive data to unauthorized actors. The flaw manifests when the graphics component processes specific input parameters or rendering commands, leading to unintended data leakage through memory access patterns. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at a low-level system component that is integral to the Windows user experience, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or extract confidential information from systems.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2021-1696 occurs through a memory corruption issue within the Windows graphics processing pipeline, where improper bounds checking or invalid memory access patterns allow an attacker to potentially read sensitive information from system memory. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of graphics data structures during rendering operations, creating opportunities for information disclosure attacks that could reveal kernel memory contents, credential information, or other sensitive system data. This flaw aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through improper error handling or memory access, and represents a classic example of how graphics processing components can become attack vectors for privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within Windows environments. Attackers could potentially leverage the information disclosure to gather system configuration details, memory layouts, or other sensitive data that could aid in bypassing security controls or conducting further exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in the graphics component means that it could be triggered through various attack vectors including malicious websites, compromised applications, or even through legitimate software that utilizes Windows graphics APIs. This creates a broad attack surface that could be exploited in both targeted attacks against specific systems and mass exploitation campaigns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 and T1068, representing the execution of malicious code and privilege escalation techniques that could be facilitated by the information disclosure capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-1696 primarily focus on applying Microsoft's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which address the underlying memory handling issues in the graphics component. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Windows systems, particularly those in high-value environments or those with limited network segmentation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual graphics processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to flag suspicious memory access patterns. Additional protective measures include implementing strict application whitelisting policies, reducing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary graphics features, and ensuring that systems are configured with appropriate security settings such as disabling unnecessary services and maintaining up-to-date security software. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could potentially be used to establish persistent access to compromised systems.