CVE-2021-41371 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 11/10/2021
Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Information Disclosure Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-38631.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2021
The Windows Remote Desktop Protocol RDP information disclosure vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41371 represents a significant security weakness in Microsoft's remote desktop infrastructure that affects multiple Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the RDP implementation within Windows environments and allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information through improper handling of authentication and session management processes. The flaw manifests when RDP services process certain authentication requests or session states, potentially exposing internal system details that should remain confidential to legitimate users.
This vulnerability operates at the protocol level within the RDP stack, where insufficient validation occurs during the authentication handshake process. The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and state management within the RDP server components that handle client connections and credential verification. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific RDP connection requests that trigger the information disclosure behavior without requiring valid credentials or authentication. The vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1075 for legitimate credentials and T1046 for network service scanning.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-41371 extends beyond simple information exposure, as the disclosed data could include system configuration details, network topology information, and potentially sensitive session identifiers that could facilitate further attacks. Organizations running RDP services are particularly vulnerable since this flaw can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it a prime target for reconnaissance activities and privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019 systems, with the most critical impact occurring in environments where RDP is exposed to untrusted networks or internet-facing services. The information disclosure could enable attackers to map network structures, identify system configurations, and potentially identify other vulnerable services or systems within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches that address the specific RDP information disclosure flaw. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict RDP access to trusted networks only, while disabling unnecessary RDP services on systems that do not require remote desktop functionality. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous RDP connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and state management in network protocols, as highlighted by CWE-200 requirements for information disclosure prevention. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and privileged access management controls can help reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs, aligning with ATT&CK framework recommendations for defending against credential theft and lateral movement techniques.