CVE-2021-21402 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Jellyfin is a Free Software Media System that was found to have a vulnerability designated as CVE-2021-21402, which allowed unauthenticated users to access arbitrary files on a server. This article delves into the details of this vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-21402

In this section, we will explore what CVE-2021-21402 entails and the potential risks associated with it.

What is CVE-2021-21402?

CVE-2021-21402 is a security vulnerability in Jellyfin versions prior to 10.7.1 that enables attackers to read arbitrary files from a Jellyfin server's file system.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21402

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk, with a base score of 7.7 out of 10, particularly affecting confidentiality. Servers exposed to the internet are at heightened risk, especially those running on the Windows operating system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21402

In this section, we will dive deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-21402 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from certain endpoints in Jellyfin that allow crafted requests to read files from the server's file system, impacting server and data security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Jellyfin versions earlier than 10.7.1 are affected by this vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of updating to the latest version promptly.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through network-based attacks with low complexity requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2021-21402 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Jellyfin to version 10.7.1 or newer as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of unauthorized file access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforcing strict security permissions on the file system and limiting network exposure can reduce the likelihood of successful attacks targeting this vulnerability.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying software patches and staying informed about security advisories and updates are essential measures to safeguard against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-21402.