CVE-2021-45335Public exploit

Scan evasion and file deletion via process injection

Published Dec 27, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Incorrect default permissions in Avast Antivirus before 20.4 allow local users to evade scans or delete arbitrary system files. The aswEngSrv.exe sandbox process grants Everyone read-write access through its default DACL, allowing code injection that falsifies scan verdicts and makes the privileged AvastSvc.exe service delete attacker-selected files. A standard Windows user can reach the process; direct privilege escalation requires chaining this flaw with separate sandbox-escape vulnerabilities.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.38%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect default permissions in Avast Antivirus before 20.4 allow local users to evade scans or delete arbitrary system files. The aswEngSrv.exe sandbox process grants Everyone read-write access through its default DACL, allowing code injection that falsifies scan verdicts and makes the privileged AvastSvc.exe service delete attacker-selected files. A standard Windows user can reach the process; direct privilege escalation requires chaining this flaw with separate sandbox-escape vulnerabilities.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45335
Published
Dec 27, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-276, T1687
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 27, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-276Incorrect Default Permissions
T1687Exploitation for Defense Impairment

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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