How severe is CVE-2021-23878?

CVE-2021-23878 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-23878 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-23878?

CVE-2021-23878 affects Mcafee Endpoint Security. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-23878?

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-2021-23878 published?

CVE-2021-23878 was published on 2021-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-23878

CVE-2021-23878 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Endpoint Security with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3. 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-312.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.3)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (45th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-312
Affected product: Mcafee Endpoint Security
Published: 2021-02-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Clear text storage of sensitive Information in memory vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 February 2021 Update allows a local user to view ENS settings and credentials via accessing process memory after the ENS administrator has performed specific actions. To exploit this, the local user has to access the relevant memory location immediately after an ENS administrator has made a configuration change through the console on their machine

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-23878?: Clear text storage of sensitive Information in memory vulnerability in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) for Windows prior to 10.7.0 February 2021 Update allows a local user to view ENS settings and credentials via accessing process memory after the ENS administrator has performed specific actions. To exploit this, the local user has to access the relevant memory location immediately after an ENS administrator has made a configuration change through the console on their machine
How severe is CVE-2021-23878?: CVE-2021-23878 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-23878 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-23878?: CVE-2021-23878 affects Mcafee Endpoint Security. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-23878?: 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-2021-23878 published?: CVE-2021-23878 was published on 2021-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10345

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:endpoint_security:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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