How severe is CVE-2021-23873?

CVE-2021-23873 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-23873 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (47th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-23873?

CVE-2021-23873 affects Mcafee Total Protection. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-23873?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-23873 published?

CVE-2021-23873 was published on 2021-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-23873

CVE-2021-23873 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Total Protection with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 3.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (47th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Mcafee Total Protection
Published: 2021-02-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain elevated privileges and perform arbitrary file deletion as the SYSTEM user potentially causing Denial of Service via manipulating Junction link, after enumerating certain files, at a specific time.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-23873?: Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain elevated privileges and perform arbitrary file deletion as the SYSTEM user potentially causing Denial of Service via manipulating Junction link, after enumerating certain files, at a specific time.
How severe is CVE-2021-23873?: CVE-2021-23873 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-23873 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (47th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-23873?: CVE-2021-23873 affects Mcafee Total Protection. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-23873?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-23873 published?: CVE-2021-23873 was published on 2021-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:total_protection:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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