CVE-2021-33166 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application across all versions. The root cause is incorrect default permissions set on the application, which may allow an authenticated local user to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from improper access control (CWE-276), where permissions are too permissive, enabling information disclosure without requiring user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a scenario where an attacker with local access and low privileges can exploit the flaw without needing additional user interaction. The impact is limited to confidentiality, as integrity and availability are not affected. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches or updates are explicitly referenced in the provided data. The vulnerability requires local authentication, meaning remote exploitation is not feasible. The affected product is the Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application, which is specific to Chromebook devices utilizing Intel hardware and software components.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-33166 is primarily on confidentiality of information on Chromebook devices running the vulnerable Intel(R) RXT application. Since the vulnerability requires local authenticated access, the threat vector is limited to insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of access to the device. This could include employees, contractors, or attackers who have physical or remote authenticated access to the Chromebook. The information disclosure could lead to leakage of sensitive data, which might include user credentials, configuration details, or other proprietary information stored or accessible via the application. While the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could facilitate further attacks or data exfiltration. Organizations relying on Chromebooks for sensitive operations or handling regulated data (e.g., GDPR-protected personal data) should consider this vulnerability significant enough to warrant remediation. However, the limited attack surface and requirement for local authentication reduce the overall risk compared to remote or unauthenticated vulnerabilities.

To mitigate CVE-2021-33166, European organizations should first verify whether their Chromebook devices are running the Intel(R) RXT application and identify the versions in use. Since no explicit patch links are provided, organizations should monitor Intel and Chromebook vendor advisories for updates or patches addressing this issue. In the interim, organizations should enforce strict local access controls on Chromebook devices, including strong user authentication mechanisms and limiting user privileges to the minimum necessary. Implementing endpoint security solutions that monitor for unauthorized local access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should audit and harden application permissions manually if possible, correcting overly permissive settings to restrict access to sensitive components of the Intel(R) RXT application. Regularly updating Chromebook OS and applications will also help ensure that any future patches are applied promptly. Finally, educating users about the risks of local access vulnerabilities and enforcing physical security controls to prevent unauthorized device access are important complementary measures.