CVE-2021-21400 : What You Need to Know
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-21400, a high severity vulnerability in wire-webapp versions before 2021-03-15-production.0. Learn about the risk of sensitive information exposure and mitigation steps.
A security vulnerability, CVE-2021-21400, impacting wire-webapp versions prior to 2021-03-15-production.0 allows the typed app-lock passphrase to be sent inadvertently to chat conversations. This issue poses a high severity risk due to exposure of sensitive information.
Understanding CVE-2021-21400
This section delves into the vulnerability details, impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-21400?
wire-webapp, an open-source front end for the secure collaboration platform Wire, is susceptible to a flaw where entering the app-lock passphrase can lead to unintentional exposure in chat conversations. The vulnerability was addressed in version 2021-03-15-production.0.
The Impact of CVE-2021-21400
The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1 categorizes the impact as high. The confidentiality impact is rated high, while the integrity impact is low. No privileges are required for exploitation, but user interaction is necessary, and the attack complexity is low.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-21400
This section provides specific technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
Entering the app-lock passphrase in wire-webapp versions before 2021-03-15-production.0 could result in the passphrase being sent to chat conversations unintentionally due to input focus issues.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects wire-webapp versions earlier than 2021-03-15-production.0, exposing them to the risk of leaked sensitive information.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting this vulnerability requires network access and user interaction to prompt the input. The attack complexity is low, and no special privileges are needed.
Mitigation and Prevention
To safeguard systems against CVE-2021-21400, immediate actions and long-term security practices are advised.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should update wire-webapp to version 2021-03-15-production.0 or newer to prevent accidental exposure of sensitive information.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement a proactive approach by regularly applying security patches, educating users on safe practices, and monitoring for any unusual activities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security advisories from Wire to apply patches promptly and mitigate emerging risks.