CVE-2021-20315 : What You Need to Know

A locking protection bypass vulnerability was discovered in certain versions of gnome-shell within CentOS Stream 8, allowing a physical attacker to manipulate applications on a locked system.

Understanding CVE-2021-20315

This article delves into the details of CVE-2021-20315, highlighting its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-20315?

CVE-2021-20315 is a locking protection bypass flaw in gnome-shell versions as shipped within CentOS Stream 8, enabling a physical attacker to kill existing applications and start new ones on a locked system.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20315

The vulnerability poses a security risk as it enables unauthorized access to a locked system, potentially leading to data theft, system manipulation, or unauthorized application execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20315

This section provides insight into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in gnome-shell versions allows a physical attacker to bypass locking protection and manipulate applications, even on a locked system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts systems running gnome-shell version 3.32.2-40.el8 within CentOS Stream 8 environment, leaving them susceptible to the locking protection bypass.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the flaw in the "Application menu" or "Window list" GNOME extensions, an attacker with physical access to a locked system can terminate existing applications and launch new ones as the locked user.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore immediate and long-term strategies to mitigate the CVE-2021-20315 vulnerability and safeguard systems against potential threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is advised to disable the vulnerable GNOME extensions, restrict physical access to locked systems, and monitor for any unauthorized activity or process manipulation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement stringent physical security measures, conduct regular system audits, educate users on safe system practices, and stay updated on security advisories and patches.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates, patches, or workarounds provided by relevant vendors to address the locking protection bypass vulnerability in gnome-shell versions within CentOS Stream 8.