CVE-2021-32415 is a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability found in EXEMSI MSI Wrapper versions prior to 10.0.50 and from at least version 6.0.91 onward. The EXEMSI MSI Wrapper is a tool used to create Windows Installer (MSI) packages, commonly employed by software developers and IT administrators to bundle applications for deployment. This vulnerability arises from the way the MSI Wrapper constructs installers, potentially allowing a local attacker with limited privileges (low-level user) to escalate their privileges to higher levels, including administrative rights, on the affected Windows system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction to be exploited and has a low attack complexity, meaning it can be triggered reliably by an attacker who already has some level of access to the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that successful exploitation could allow an attacker to fully compromise the system. The scope is unchanged, meaning the vulnerability affects only the privileges of the local system where the MSI Wrapper installer is run. No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date, but the potential for misuse remains significant given the nature of privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The lack of a vendor or product name in the provided data suggests that this vulnerability is specific to the EXEMSI MSI Wrapper tool itself rather than a broader software product. Since MSI Wrappers are often used in enterprise environments for software deployment, this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers who have gained initial access to a system to elevate their privileges and move laterally or persist within a network.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-32415 can be substantial, especially in environments where EXEMSI MSI Wrapper is used for software deployment or packaging. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain administrative privileges on affected systems, enabling them to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, disable security controls, or disrupt operations. This could lead to data breaches, ransomware attacks, or operational downtime. Given that MSI Wrappers are often used in IT departments for deploying software across multiple endpoints, a successful exploitation could facilitate widespread compromise within an organization. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems and data could be severely impacted. Additionally, organizations in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure in Europe may face compliance and legal repercussions if this vulnerability is exploited. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits targeting this vulnerability in the future.

To mitigate CVE-2021-32415, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Identify all instances where EXEMSI MSI Wrapper is used within their IT environment, including software packaging and deployment pipelines. 2) Upgrade the EXEMSI MSI Wrapper tool to version 10.0.50 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider temporarily discontinuing the use of affected versions for creating installers. 3) Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems where MSI Wrappers are used to detect any unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. 4) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor and block suspicious installer behaviors. 5) Conduct regular audits of installed software and deployment tools to ensure no vulnerable versions are in use. 6) Educate IT staff about the risks associated with privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching. 7) As a defense-in-depth measure, limit the number of users with local administrative privileges to reduce the attack surface. 8) Monitor security advisories for any emerging exploit code or additional patches related to this vulnerability.