CVE-2021-1129 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in the authentication for the general purpose APIs implementation of Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA), Cisco Content Security Management Appliance (SMA), and Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access system and configuration information from an affected device.

Understanding CVE-2021-1129

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Cisco Email Security Appliance, Cisco Content Security Management Appliance, and Cisco Web Security Appliance that could lead to unauthorized information disclosure.

What is CVE-2021-1129?

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to obtain system and configuration information by exploiting the general purpose APIs without requiring a secure authentication token.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1129

A successful exploit of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive system and configuration information, leading to information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1129

This CVE has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3, with medium severity. It has low attack complexity and requires no privileges or user interaction. The attack vector is over the network

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists due to the lack of secure authentication token requirements when accessing the general purpose API, allowing remote attackers to retrieve system and configuration details.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) with all versions being susceptible to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests to the general purpose API, enabling them to retrieve sensitive information from the affected device.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-1129, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected devices and prevent unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that systems are updated with the latest security patches provided by Cisco. Implement proper network security measures to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories from Cisco and other vendors. Conduct security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches released by Cisco promptly to address this vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the affected devices.