CVE-2021-23874: McAfee Total Protection (MTP) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2021-23874 is a high (CVSS 8.2) Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in McAfee McAfee Total Protection (MTP). It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. EPSS estimates a 1.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 62.9% of scored vulnerabilities.
Timeline
- 10-02-2021PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 03-11-2021Added to CISA KEVMcAfee Total Protection (MTP) Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
- 17-11-2021CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
- 21-10-2025Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
Arbitrary Process Execution vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) prior to 16.0.30 allows a local user to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code bypassing MTP self-defense.
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HDiffers
EPSS trend
Probability
1.03%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
63%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 1.03% on 18-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed- Added
- 03-11-2021
- Federal due date
- 17-11-2021
CISA required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23874
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root cause- CWE-269Improper Privilege ManagementThe product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
- CWE-732Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical ResourceThe product specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors.
Affected systems
Mcafee1 product
- total_protection< 16.0.30
Mcafee,llc1 product
- mcafee total protection (mtp)≥ unspecified, < 16.0.30
2 vendors · 2 products
References
2 links- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-23874Government ResourceUS Government Resource