How severe is CVE-2021-31847?

CVE-2021-31847 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2, 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-2021-31847 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-31847?

CVE-2021-31847 affects Mcafee Agent. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-31847?

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-2021-31847 published?

CVE-2021-31847 was published on 2021-09-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-31847

CVE-2021-31847 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mcafee Agent with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2. 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-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.2)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Mcafee Agent
Published: 2021-09-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Improper access control vulnerability in the repair process for McAfee Agent for Windows prior to 5.7.4 could allow a local attacker to perform a DLL preloading attack using unsigned DLLs. This would result in elevation of privileges and the ability to execute arbitrary code as the system user, through not correctly protecting a temporary directory used in the repair process and not checking the DLL signature.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-31847?: Improper access control vulnerability in the repair process for McAfee Agent for Windows prior to 5.7.4 could allow a local attacker to perform a DLL preloading attack using unsigned DLLs. This would result in elevation of privileges and the ability to execute arbitrary code as the system user, through not correctly protecting a temporary directory used in the repair process and not checking the DLL signature.
How severe is CVE-2021-31847?: CVE-2021-31847 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2, 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-2021-31847 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-31847?: CVE-2021-31847 affects Mcafee Agent. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-31847?: 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-2021-31847 published?: CVE-2021-31847 was published on 2021-09-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mcafee:agent:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Mcafee Agent

CVE-2018-6703 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Use After Free in Remote logging (which is disabled by default) in McAfee McAfee Agent (MA) 5.x prior to 5.6.0 allows…
CVE-2021-1257 — High (CVSS 8.8): A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco DNA Center Software could allow an unauthenticated,…
CVE-2022-1258 — High (CVSS 8.4): A blind SQL injection vulnerability in the ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) extension of MA prior to 5.7.6 can be exploited…
CVE-2022-2313 — High (CVSS 8.2): A DLL hijacking vulnerability in the MA Smart Installer for Windows prior to 5.7.7, which allows local users to execute…
CVE-2022-1256 — High (CVSS 7.8): A local privilege escalation vulnerability in MA for Windows prior to 5.7.6 allows a local low privileged user to gain…
CVE-2022-0166 — High (CVSS 7.8): A privilege escalation vulnerability in the McAfee Agent prior to 5.7.5. McAfee Agent uses openssl.cnf during the build…

All CVEs affecting Mcafee Agent →

Other CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities

CVE-2025-4981 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Mattermost versions 10.5.x <= 10.5.5, 9.11.x <= 9.11.15, 10.8.x <= 10.8.0, 10.7.x <= 10.7.2, 10.6.x <= 10.6.5 fail to…
CVE-2025-69599 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): RayVentory Scan Engine through 12.6 Update 8 allows attackers to gain privileges if they control the value of the PATH…
CVE-2019-25268 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): NREL BEopt 2.8.0.0 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to load arbitrary libraries by tricking…
CVE-2023-53959 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): FileZilla Client 3.63.1 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious code by…
CVE-2025-65741 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Sublime Text 3 Build 3208 or prior for MacOS is vulnerable to Dylib Injection. An attacker could compile a .dylib file…
CVE-2024-23054 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue in Plone Docker Official Image 5.2.13 (5221) open-source software that could allow for remote code execution…

Browse all CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities →