CVE-2021-36341 in Wyse Device Agent
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2021
Dell Wyse Device Agent version 14.5.4.1 and below contain a sensitive data exposure vulnerability. A local authenticated user with low privileges could potentially exploit this vulnerability in order to access sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-36341 affects Dell Wyse Device Agent versions 14.5.4.1 and earlier, representing a sensitive data exposure flaw that poses significant security risks to managed devices. This issue stems from inadequate access controls and data protection mechanisms within the device agent software, which is commonly deployed in enterprise environments for device management and monitoring purposes. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where the Wyse Device Agent is installed, creating potential entry points for unauthorized data access that could compromise device integrity and confidentiality.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient authorization checks and improper data handling within the agent's architecture, allowing local authenticated users with minimal privileges to exploit the vulnerability and gain access to sensitive information. This weakness falls under the category of inadequate data protection and access control mechanisms, typically classified as CWE-284 for improper access control and CWE-312 for exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability exploitation requires only local authentication, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by users who have already established some level of system access, potentially including malicious insiders or compromised accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to access configuration data, user credentials, device identifiers, and other sensitive metadata that the Wyse Device Agent manages. This exposure can facilitate further attacks within the network, including privilege escalation attempts, lateral movement, and potential data exfiltration. Organizations relying on Dell Wyse devices for enterprise management may face compromised device integrity, unauthorized access to corporate data, and potential violations of data protection regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA, depending on the nature of information processed by these devices.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 14.5.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit local access rights, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unauthorized access attempts to device management components. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and implement proper access controls for device management interfaces. The remediation process should align with industry best practices for vulnerability management and security hardening, ensuring that similar issues are prevented through proper configuration management and access control policies. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date device management software and implementing robust security controls for all enterprise endpoints.