CVE-2021-21361 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves an information disclosure vulnerability in the

com.bmuschko:gradle-vagrant-plugin

Gradle plugin due to the logging of system environment variables. This could potentially expose sensitive credentials when the plugin is run in public CI/CD environments. The issue has been addressed in version 3.0.0.

Understanding CVE-2021-21361

This section delves into the details of CVE-2021-21361, outlining its impact and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2021-21361?

The vulnerability in the

com.bmuschko:gradle-vagrant-plugin

Gradle plugin allows for the disclosure of sensitive information by logging system environment variables. This poses a risk of exposing confidential data when the plugin runs in public CI/CD pipelines.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21361

The disclosure of system environment variables through this vulnerability can lead to the exposure of sensitive credentials to malicious actors, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21361

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical specifics of CVE-2021-21361, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the logging of system environment variables by the

com.bmuschko:gradle-vagrant-plugin

Gradle plugin, which can inadvertently disclose sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of the

com.bmuschko:gradle-vagrant-plugin

plugin prior to version 3.0.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by running the plugin in public CI/CD environments, where the system environment variables are logged, potentially exposing confidential data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks posed by CVE-2021-21361, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, long-term security practices, and timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the

com.bmuschko:gradle-vagrant-plugin

plugin to version 3.0.0 or newer to mitigate the information disclosure risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices, restricting access to sensitive information, and regular security assessments can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and security patches for the affected plugin to ensure that known vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.