External risk intelligence

Windows HTTP Protocol Stack Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-31166

A vulnerability in the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack could allow attackers to run code remotely. This impacts systems processing HTTP requests, creating business risk through potential unauthorized access and service disruption. Organizations should apply vendor updates.

5Halo Surface Signal

Use After Free

Microsoft Windows 10 2004

before 10.0.19041.982before 10.0.19042.982

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-31166

This vulnerability affects the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack (http.sys), which is a core, kernel-mode component responsible for processing HTTP requests. Because it handles network traffic at the operating system level for web services and applications, it is inherently internet-facing and designed to process unauthenticated traffic by design in many common server and edge deployments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability has been identified in the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack. This flaw can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The primary business impact could be the compromise of systems, leading to potential data breaches or service disruptions.

  • Vulnerable component: Windows HTTP Protocol Stack
  • Core weakness: Flaw in protocol stack handling
  • Main business impact: Remote code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

The HTTP Protocol Stack vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute remote code. An attacker can send specially crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable system. Successful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to run arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This can lead to a complete compromise of the affected system and potential lateral movement within the organization's network.

  • Exposure via the network.
  • Attacker sends malicious HTTP requests.
  • Leads to remote code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack could allow an attacker to remotely execute code on affected systems. This could lead to unauthorized access, data compromise, or system disruption. The CISA has identified this as a known exploited vulnerability, indicating active threat actor interest.

  • Attackers likely have high skill.
  • No authentication or access needed.
  • Business risk and urgency are high.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Such an attack could lead to a compromise of systems, data theft, or disruption of services, posing a significant business risk. Organizations should take immediate steps to address this issue.

  • Identify all systems running affected Windows versions.
  • Isolate vulnerable systems from the network.
  • Apply vendor updates, verify fixes, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack?

The Windows HTTP Protocol Stack, also known as http.sys, is a core part of Windows that handles incoming HTTP requests for web servers and other applications. It acts as a gatekeeper, processing network traffic before it reaches the intended service.

What kind of weakness does CVE-2021-31166 represent?

CVE-2021-31166 is a remote code execution vulnerability. It stems from a flaw in how the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack handles certain requests, potentially allowing an attacker to run their own code on a vulnerable system.

What are the preconditions for an attacker to exploit CVE-2021-31166?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to a vulnerable system. The good news is that a user interacting with the system, or specific configurations, do not trigger this bug.

Who should be concerned about this vulnerability based on its exposure?

Organizations running affected Windows versions with internet-facing services should be particularly concerned. Because the Windows HTTP Protocol Stack processes network traffic, this vulnerability can be exploited over the internet, making it a high-priority concern for external-facing systems.

What are the first steps to address this threat?

The initial steps involve identifying all systems running the affected Windows versions. It's recommended to isolate vulnerable systems from the network if possible, and then apply the updates provided by the vendor to remediate the vulnerability.

References