cbcvebase.
CVE-2021-31955
published 2021-06-08

CVE-2021-31955: Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability

PriorityP275medium5.5CVSS 3.1
AVLACLPRLUINSUCHINAN
KEVITWEXPLOIT
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilitydue 2021-11-17
Exploited in the wild
EPSS
81.11%
99.6th percentile
Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Affected

33 ranges· showing 25
VendorProductVersion rangeFixed in
microsoftwindows_10_1809< 10.0.17763.199910.0.17763.1999
microsoftwindows_10_1909< 10.0.18363.162110.0.18363.1621
microsoftwindows_10_2004< 10.0.19041.105210.0.19041.1052
microsoftwindows_10_20h2< 10.0.19042.105210.0.19042.1052
microsoftwindows_10_21h1< 10.0.19043.105210.0.19043.1052
microsoftwindows_10_version_1809>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.17763.199910.0.17763.1999
microsoftwindows_10_version_1909>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.18363.162110.0.18363.1621
microsoftwindows_10_version_2004>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.19041.105210.0.19041.1052
microsoftwindows_10_version_20h2>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.19042.105210.0.19042.1052
microsoftwindows_10_version_21h1>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.19043.105210.0.19043.1052
microsoftwindows_server_2004< 10.0.19041.105210.0.19041.1052
microsoftwindows_server_2019< 10.0.17763.199910.0.17763.1999
microsoftwindows_server_2019>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.17763.199910.0.17763.1999
microsoftwindows_server_20h2< 10.0.19042.105210.0.19042.1052
microsoftwindows_server_version_2004>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.19041.105210.0.19041.1052
microsoftwindows_server_version_20h2>= 10.0.0 < 10.0.19042.105210.0.19042.1052
msrcwindows_10_version_1809_for_32-bit_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_1809_for_arm64-based_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_1809_for_x64-based_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_1909_for_32-bit_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_1909_for_arm64-based_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_1909_for_x64-based_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_2004_for_32-bit_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_2004_for_arm64-based_systems
msrcwindows_10_version_2004_for_x64-based_systems

Detection & IOCsextracted from sources · hover to see the quote

domainmedia-seoengine[.]com
path%SYSTEM%\WmiPrvMon.exe
path%SYSTEM%\wmimon.dll
filenameWmiPrvMon.exe
filenamewmimon.dll
  • CVE-2021-31955 exploitation involves calling NtQuerySystemInformation with the SuperfetchPrivSourceQuery system information class (under SystemSuperfetchInformation) to leak EPROCESS kernel addresses of running processes. Monitor for low-privilege processes invoking NtQuerySystemInformation with class SystemSuperfetchInformation (0x4D) to retrieve kernel pointers.
  • The exploit chain pairs CVE-2021-31955 (info disclosure via SuperfetchPrivSourceQuery) with CVE-2021-31956 (heap overflow in ntfs.sys via NtfsQueryEaUserEaList) and uses the PreviousMode technique to gain SYSTEM privileges. Detect processes that open handles to ntoskrnl.exe or ntfs.sys in unusual contexts, or that call NtSetEaFile with crafted extended attribute buffers.
  • The exploit targets specific Windows 10 builds: 17763 (RS5), 18362 (19H1), 18363 (19H2), 19041 (20H1), 19042 (20H2). Prioritize detection and patching on these build versions.
  • The PreviousMode technique is used: the exploit decrements the PreviousMode field in the KTHREAD structure of the exploiting thread from 1 to 0, then uses NtReadVirtualMemory/NtWriteVirtualMemory to read/write kernel memory. Detect anomalous use of NtReadVirtualMemory/NtWriteVirtualMemory targeting kernel address ranges from user-mode threads.
  • ·The Chrome RCE exploit used in the attack chain was not recovered by researchers; CVE-2021-21224 is only suspected based on circumstantial timing evidence and is not confirmed as the exact vulnerability used.

CVSS provenance

nvdv3.15.5MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
nvdv2.02.1LOWAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
vulncheck5.5MEDIUM
cisa5.5MEDIUM
vendor_msrc5.5MEDIUM
CVEs like this are exactly what “Exploited This Week” covers.

Every Monday: what got weaponized or added to CISA KEV in the last seven days — each CVE cross-linked to its PoC, Nuclei template, and detection rule. Free, one email a week, unsubscribe in one click.