CVE-2021-41345 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2021
Storage Spaces Controller Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-26441, CVE-2021-40478, CVE-2021-40488, CVE-2021-40489.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2021
The Storage Spaces Controller Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41345 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft Windows operating systems that allows attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative rights. This vulnerability specifically affects the Storage Spaces Controller service which manages storage spaces functionality in Windows environments, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks that could compromise entire systems. The flaw exists in the way the service handles certain input validation processes during storage space operations, creating an avenue for malicious code execution that bypasses normal security boundaries.
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Storage Spaces Controller component, which operates with elevated privileges to manage storage configurations and operations. The technical implementation flaw allows an authenticated attacker to manipulate specific parameters passed to the storage space management functions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the SYSTEM account. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation techniques that leverage service misconfigurations and insufficient access controls. The flaw operates through a path traversal or buffer manipulation mechanism that allows attackers to inject malicious code into the storage management pipeline, effectively bypassing the normal privilege separation mechanisms that should protect system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-41345 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and persistent access to network resources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, deploy additional malware, or establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these systems are prevalent. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1543 (Create or Modify System Process), demonstrating how attackers can use service manipulation to gain elevated privileges and maintain long-term access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-41345 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to storage management services, and enhanced monitoring of storage space operations for anomalous activities. System administrators should disable unnecessary storage space functionality when not required, implement least privilege access controls for storage management operations, and conduct regular security assessments of storage management services. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include endpoint detection and response solutions capable of identifying privilege escalation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries within storage management contexts, while also ensuring proper logging and alerting mechanisms are in place to detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security training for administrators on recognizing potential privilege escalation vectors and maintaining secure configuration practices can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation.