CVE-2021-21141 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-21141, highlighting the vulnerability in Google Chrome prior to version 88.0.4324.96 that allowed a remote attacker to bypass file extension policy via a crafted HTML page.

Understanding CVE-2021-21141

This section will cover the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-21141.

What is CVE-2021-21141?

CVE-2021-21141 refers to an insufficient policy enforcement vulnerability in the File System API of Google Chrome before version 88.0.4324.96. This flaw enabled a remote attacker to circumvent file extension policy by utilizing a specially crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21141

The vulnerability allowed threat actors to bypass security measures related to file extensions, potentially leading to unauthorized access or execution of malicious code on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21141

This section will delve into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate policy enforcement in the File System API of Google Chrome, allowing an attacker to manipulate file extensions through a crafted HTML page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Google Chrome versions prior to 88.0.4324.96 were impacted by this vulnerability, requiring immediate attention to prevent exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the vulnerability in the File System API, threat actors could create HTML pages that bypassed file extension policies, posing a significant risk to affected users.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-21141.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Google Chrome browser to version 88.0.4324.96 or later to address the vulnerability and enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employing robust security practices, such as regular software updates, security awareness training, and implementing strict file extension policies, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant about security updates and promptly applying patches released by Google Chrome can help in maintaining a secure browsing environment.