Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-38112 affects older Amazon AWS WorkSpaces Windows clients. A malicious WorkSpaces URI could make the client pass unsafe arguments to Chromium Embedded Framework and potentially run code on the user’s machine. AWS fixed this in client version 3.1.9.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation where WorkSpaces is deployed broadly or users may open external links. The issue can affect individual endpoints, but the provided sources do not show confirmed active exploitation.
Technical view
The issue is argument injection in the AWS WorkSpaces Windows client workspaces:// URI handler, affecting versions 3.0.10 through 3.1.8. The reported impact is remote code execution through the CEF --gpu-launcher argument path. The source bundle identifies 3.1.9 as the fixed version.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Windows endpoints with Amazon AWS WorkSpaces client versions 3.0.10 through 3.1.8 installed, especially where workspaces:// links are handled by that client.
Exploitation context
The bundle includes a public researcher write-up and the CVE description states remote code execution is possible. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not establish active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on URI handler registration and client version presence. Avoid assuming server-side AWS exposure; the provided evidence describes a Windows client-side argument injection issue fixed in 3.1.9.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade AWS WorkSpaces Windows client to version 3.1.9 or later.
- Inventory Windows endpoints for WorkSpaces client versions 3.0.10 through 3.1.8.
- Review AWS release notes and vendor guidance before rollout.
- Remove vulnerable client installers from internal software catalogs.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed WorkSpaces client versions are not 3.0.10 through 3.1.8.
- Verify upgraded clients are version 3.1.9 or later.
- Check endpoint inventory for remaining vulnerable Windows installations.
- Review helpdesk or deployment records for failed upgrades.
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
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Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-38112 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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 and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://docs.aws.amazon.com/workspaces/latest/userguide/amazon-workspaces-windows-client.html#windows-release-notesCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://rhinosecuritylabs.com/aws/cve-2021-38112-aws-workspaces-rce/CVE 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.