CVE-2021-28341 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2021
Remote Procedure Call Runtime Remote Code Execution Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-28327, CVE-2021-28329, CVE-2021-28330, CVE-2021-28331, CVE-2021-28332, CVE-2021-28333, CVE-2021-28334, CVE-2021-28335, CVE-2021-28336, CVE-2021-28337, CVE-2021-28338, CVE-2021-28339, CVE-2021-28340, CVE-2021-28342, CVE-2021-28343, CVE-2021-28344, CVE-2021-28345, CVE-2021-28346, CVE-2021-28352, CVE-2021-28353, CVE-2021-28354, CVE-2021-28355, CVE-2021-28356, CVE-2021-28357, CVE-2021-28358, CVE-2021-28434.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2021
The Remote Procedure Call Runtime Remote Code Execution Vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-28341 represents a critical security flaw within the Windows operating system's RPC runtime component. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of remote procedure calls and allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems with elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the way the RPC runtime processes certain network requests, creating an opportunity for remote code execution without requiring authentication. Security researchers have classified this issue as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through network-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Windows systems are interconnected and communicate frequently.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the RPC runtime library. When processing remote procedure calls, the system fails to properly validate certain parameters passed through network communications, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious RPC requests that can overwrite memory locations and ultimately execute attacker-controlled code within the context of the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any user interaction or authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-28341 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once successfully exploited, an attacker could gain full control over the affected Windows system, enabling them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised machine as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019, making it widespread across enterprise environments. Organizations running these operating systems without proper patch management are particularly vulnerable to this attack vector, as the exploit can be automated and does not require specialized knowledge to implement. This vulnerability has been mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of remote services for execution, and T1073.001, which involves the use of external remote services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28341 primarily focus on timely patch deployment and network segmentation measures. Microsoft has released security updates through the monthly patch Tuesday releases, specifically addressing this vulnerability in their security bulletins. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches immediately to protect their systems from exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as firewall rules to restrict RPC traffic between trusted network segments, as well as monitoring for unusual RPC activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for zero-day exploitation, so organizations without active patch management processes should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may not have received the necessary patches and implement compensating controls such as disabling unnecessary RPC services where possible. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1133, which covers external remote services, and organizations should consider implementing network access controls to limit exposure to these types of attacks.