CVE-2021-4034 Red Hat Polkit: memory-safety flaw
In plain words: The program mishandles the memory it uses to keep track of data. A specially made input can scramble that memory. Usually lets an attacker crash the program or run their own code with its permissions.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jul 18, 2022
What to do
- Install Red Hat's security update for Polkit. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
- Patch anything in this catalog first, ahead of normal patch cycles.
- Put admin and file-transfer apps behind a VPN or single sign-on instead of the open internet.
Who is affected
Work IT. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.
What's at risk: Mass data theft and ransomware: a single flaw in a file-transfer or email server has exposed thousands of organisations at once.
The details
- Official name
- Red Hat Polkit Out-of-Bounds Read and Write Vulnerability
- Product
- Red Hat Polkit
- CISA description
- The Red Hat polkit pkexec utility contains an out-of-bounds read and write vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation with administrative rights.
- Type of flaw
- Memory-safety flaw (CWE-787)
- Confirmed exploited
- Jun 27, 2022 — known to be used in ransomware attacks
- US federal patch deadline
- Jul 18, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2021-4034 ·
Questions about CVE-2021-4034
Is CVE-2021-4034 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-4034 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Jun 27, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks, including by ransomware groups.
How do I fix CVE-2021-4034?
Install Red Hat's security update for Polkit. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-4034?
Only if you use Red Hat Polkit. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.