CVE-2021-26887: Microsoft Windows Folder Redirection Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Overview

Severity
High (CVSS 7.8)
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Category
Elevation of Privilege
Exploit Status
Not Exploited
Exploitation Likelihood
Less Likely
Patch Tuesday
2021-Mar
Released
2021-03-09
Last Updated
2021-03-15
EPSS Score
0.46% (percentile: 64.1%)

Description

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows when Folder redirection has been enabled via Group Policy. When folder redirection file server is co-located with Terminal server, an attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability would be able to begin redirecting another user's personal data to a created folder. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker can create a new folder under the Folder Redirection root path and create a junction on a newly created User folder. When the new user logs in, Folder Redirection would start redirecting to the folder and copying personal data. This elevation of privilege vulnerability can only be addressed by reconfiguring Folder Redirection with Offline files and restricting permissions, and NOT via a security update for affected Windows Servers. See the FAQ section of this CVE for configuration guidance.

FAQ

There are no Downloads listed in the Security Updates table. How do I protect my system from this vulnerability? This elevation of privilege vulnerability can only be addressed by reconfiguring Folder Redirection with Offline files and restricting permissions, and NOT via a security update for affected Windows Servers. See Deploy Folder Redirection with Offline Files for instructions for configuring your system.

Affected Products (41)

Windows

  • Windows 10 Version 2004 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 2004 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 2004 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server, version 2004 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 10 Version 20H2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 20H2 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 20H2 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows Server, version 20H2 (Server Core Installation)
  • Windows 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 10 Version 1909 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1909 for ARM64-based Systems
  • Windows Server, version 1909 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows 8.1 for 32-bit systems
  • Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems
  • Windows RT 8.1
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

ESU

  • Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
  • Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
  • Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)

Security Updates (2)

Acknowledgments

somaro

Revision History

  • 2021-03-09: Information published.
  • 2021-03-15: The instructions in the article, https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/jj649078(v%3dws.11), have been updated since this CVE was released on March 9, 2021. Microsoft recommends that customers re-visit the article ensure their systems are properly configured to be protected against this vulnerability. This elevation of privilege vulnerability can only be addressed by reconfiguring Folder Redirection with Offline files and restricting permissions, and NOT via a security update for affected Windows Servers.