CVE-2021-24077

Windows Fax Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Critical Β· published February 25, 2021

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
3%
Percentile
86.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A single fax can open the door to total chaos! The Windows Fax Service vulnerability allows remote code execution just through receiving crafted faxes. πŸ”₯ It's like a mailroom accepting packages without checking the contents β€” if you slip in a malicious one, it could cause serious havoc before anyone even realizes it! An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to run any code on the affected system, potentially gaining full access, deleting files, or even installing malware. This could lead to a complete takeover of the system β€” absolutely devastating!

Put simply

It's like a mailroom accepting packages without checking the contents β€” if you slip in a malicious one, it could cause serious havoc before anyone even realizes it! This vulnerability in the Windows Fax Service allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted fax, as the service fails to properly handle input. Essentially, it lacks essential validation checks when processing incoming faxes.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to run any code on the affected system, potentially gaining full access, deleting files, or even installing malware. This could lead to a complete takeover of the system β€” absolutely devastating! Update Windows to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability immediately. Disable the Fax Service if it’s not in use, and ensure that your firewall is configured to block unnecessary network traffic. Security audits of fax communications are also recommended! You've got this! By taking these steps, you're one step closer to being a security hero! πŸ›‘οΈ

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 Β· CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.02874 Β· 86.7th percentile
Published
2021-02-25T23:01Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 25 FEB 23:01Z
    Windows Fax Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
    cvelistv5