Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Intel RXT for Chromebook has insecure default permissions. A signed-in local user could use that weakness to expose sensitive information. The issue is medium severity because it needs local authenticated access, but the confidentiality impact is rated high.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority confidentiality issue. It is not shown as remotely exploitable or actively exploited, but shared-device environments should move faster because local authenticated users are part of the expected operating model.
Technical view
CVE-2021-33166 is a CWE-276 incorrect default permissions issue affecting Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application, described as all versions. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact only.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to environments using Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application. Risk is most relevant on shared, managed, kiosk-like, or student/employee Chromebook fleets where non-administrative local users may access the application.
Exploitation context
The source bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as CISA KEV. Exploitation requires authenticated local access, so remote internet exposure is not indicated by the supplied sources.
Researcher notes
Evidence is sparse. The bundle names Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application and says all versions, but provides no CPEs or patch details. Do not infer affected platforms beyond Chromebook application context or claim exploitation without additional sourced evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Review Intel advisory INTEL-SA-00599 for vendor remediation and support status.
- Inventory Chromebook systems for Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application presence.
- Limit local account access on affected shared Chromebook fleets.
- Prioritize remediation where exposed devices handle sensitive user or enterprise data.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Intel(R) RXT for Chromebook application is installed in the environment.
- Map affected devices to shared-use or high-sensitivity user populations.
- Check Intel advisory guidance before declaring fixed or mitigated status.
- Record that no KEV evidence is present in the supplied sources.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-276: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-33166 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00599.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Incorrect Default Permissions
Incorrect Default Permissions represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
