CVE-2021-21527 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-21527, a vulnerability found in Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.1.0-9.1.0 that could allow privilege escalation for authenticated users.

Understanding CVE-2021-21527

CVE-2021-21527 is a security vulnerability present in Dell PowerScale OneFS 8.1.0-9.1.0, where an authenticated user with specific privileges could potentially escalate their own privileges on the system.

What is CVE-2021-21527?

The vulnerability in Dell PowerScale OneFS involves improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands. This flaw can be exploited by an authenticated user with ISI_PRIV_LOGIN_SSH or ISI_PRIV_LOGIN_CONSOLE privileges to elevate their access rights.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21527

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain higher privileges than intended, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21527

CVE-2021-21527 has a CVSS base score of 6, categorizing it as a medium severity vulnerability with the following details:

Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: None
Confidentiality Impact: None
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Scope: Unchanged

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the failure to properly neutralize special elements in OS commands, which could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation within the Dell PowerScale OneFS platform.

Affected Systems and Versions

Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.1.0 to 9.1.0 are affected by this vulnerability. Users with these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated user with specific privileges (ISI_PRIV_LOGIN_SSH or ISI_PRIV_LOGIN_CONSOLE) can craft malicious commands to gain escalated privileges on the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address CVE-2021-21527 and ensure long-term security practices are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Dell PowerScale OneFS to a non-vulnerable version or install the necessary patches provided by Dell.
Restrict access to privileged accounts to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user activity on the Dell PowerScale OneFS platform.
Educate users about best practices for system security and privilege management.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Dell and apply patches promptly to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.