External risk intelligence

McAfee Total Protection Local Privilege Escalation

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-23874

A vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection allows local users to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code, bypassing self-defense mechanisms. This impacts affected systems and poses a business risk of unauthorized control and data compromise.

1Halo Surface Signal

Mcafee Total Protection

before 16.0.30

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-23874

This vulnerability affects local security software and requires an existing local user account to exploit. It is not reachable via the public internet or network services, as it is confined to the local host environment.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

McAfee Total Protection software contains a vulnerability that allows a local user to gain elevated privileges. This flaw enables an attacker to execute arbitrary code, bypassing the security measures of the software. The primary impact is unauthorized code execution with elevated permissions on affected systems.

  • Vulnerable McAfee Total Protection
  • Local user gains elevated privileges
  • Arbitrary code execution occurs

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code by bypassing security features within McAfee Total Protection. An attacker with existing local access can leverage this to gain greater control over the affected system. The exploit targets a weakness in how the software manages privileges, enabling unauthorized code execution.

  • Local user exposure required.
  • Attacker gains elevated privileges.
  • Arbitrary code execution achieved.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations, allowing local users with limited access to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code. Such an attack could compromise sensitive data, disrupt operations, and lead to further system compromise. The business risk is elevated due to the potential for attackers to bypass security controls and gain full system control, making it crucial to address this vulnerability promptly.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low.
  • Required access or conditions: Local access required.
  • Business risk or urgency: High.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection could allow a local user to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code, bypassing the product's self-defense mechanisms. Organizations should take steps to identify and address affected systems to mitigate this risk.

  • Find systems with McAfee Total Protection.
  • Reduce exposure by isolating affected systems.
  • Apply vendor fixes and validate.
  • Monitor for related issues.

Frequently asked questions

What is McAfee Total Protection and its purpose?

McAfee Total Protection is a comprehensive security software suite designed to protect your devices and personal information from a wide range of online threats. It aims to provide a secure digital experience by combining multiple security features.

What type of weakness does CVE-2021-23874 represent?

CVE-2021-23874 is classified as an Arbitrary Process Execution vulnerability. This type of weakness means that an attacker could potentially cause a program or process to run on the system that was not intended by the legitimate user or administrator, leading to unauthorized actions.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2021-23874 in McAfee Total Protection?

Exploitation of CVE-2021-23874 requires local access to the affected system. An attacker with existing, limited user privileges could use this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code and gain elevated privileges, bypassing the self-defense mechanisms of McAfee Total Protection.

What is the relevance of the Halo Surface Signal for CVE-2021-23874?

The Halo Surface Signal indicates that this vulnerability is 'Very unlikely' to be exploited remotely. This is because the vulnerability affects local security software and requires an existing local user account to exploit, confining it to the local host environment rather than being reachable over the public internet.

What steps should be taken to address this vulnerability?

To address this vulnerability, organizations should identify all systems running McAfee Total Protection. It is recommended to isolate affected systems if immediate patching is not possible, apply vendor-provided updates as soon as they are available, and then validate that the fix has been successfully implemented. Continuous monitoring for any related security events is also advised.

References