CVE-2021-42310

Microsoft Defender for IoT Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Verified by Precogs Threat Research
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2024
Base Score
8.1HIGH

Executive Summary

CVE-2021-42310 is a high severity vulnerability affecting appsec. It is classified as an undisclosed flaw. Ensure your systems and dependencies are patched immediately to mitigate exposure risks.

Precogs AI Insight

"Microsoft Defender for IoT contains a remote code execution vulnerability. Unauthenticated attackers exploit improper input validation in network protocol parsers to execute arbitrary code and compromise the IoT security appliance. Precogs Binary SAST uncovers missing bounds checks in deep packet inspection engines."

Exploit Probability (EPSS)
Low (1.1%)
Public POC
Undisclosed
Exploit Probability
Elevated (52%)
Public POC
Available
Affected Assets
appsecNVD Database

What is this vulnerability?

CVE-2021-42310 is categorized as a high security flaw with a CVSS base score of 8.1. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.

Microsoft Defender for IoT Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.

Risk Assessment

MetricValue
CVSS Base Score8.1 (HIGH)
Vector StringCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
PublishedDecember 15, 2021
Last ModifiedNovember 21, 2024
Related CWEsN/A

Impact on Systems

Data Exfiltration: Attackers can extract sensitive data from backend databases, configuration files, or internal services.

Authentication Bypass: Exploiting this flaw may allow unauthorized access to protected resources and administrative interfaces.

Lateral Movement: Once initial access is gained, attackers can pivot to internal systems and escalate privileges.

How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2021-42310

  1. Apply Vendor Patches: Upgrade affected components to their latest, non-vulnerable versions immediately.
  2. Implement Input Validation: Ensure all user-supplied data is validated, sanitized, and type-checked before processing.
  3. Deploy Runtime Protection: Use Precogs continuous monitoring to detect exploitation attempts in real time.
  4. Audit Dependencies: Review and update all third-party libraries and transitive dependencies.

Defending with Precogs AI

Microsoft Defender for IoT contains a remote code execution vulnerability. Unauthenticated attackers exploit improper input validation in network protocol parsers to execute arbitrary code and compromise the IoT security appliance. Precogs Binary SAST uncovers missing bounds checks in deep packet inspection engines.

Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.

Start scanning with Precogs →

Vulnerability Code Signature

Attack Data Flow

StageDetail
SourceUntrusted User Input
VectorInput flows through the application logic without sanitization
SinkExecution or Rendering Sink
ImpactApplication compromise, Logic Bypass, Data Exfiltration

Vulnerable Code Pattern

# ❌ VULNERABLE: Unsanitized Input Flow
def process_request(request):
    user_input = request.GET.get('data')
    # Taint sink: processing untrusted data
    execute_logic(user_input)
    return {"status": "success"}

Secure Code Pattern

# ✅ SECURE: Input Validation & Sanitization
def process_request(request):
    user_input = request.GET.get('data')
    
    # Sanitized boundary check
    if not is_valid_format(user_input):
        raise ValueError("Invalid input format")
        
    sanitized_data = sanitize(user_input)
    execute_logic(sanitized_data)
    return {"status": "success"}

How Precogs Detects This

Precogs AI Analysis Engine maps untrusted input directly to execution sinks to catch complex application security vulnerabilities.\n

Is your system affected?

Precogs AI detects CVE-2021-42310 in compiled binaries, LLMs, and application layers — even without source code access.