Discover the impact of CVE-2021-21559 affecting Dell EMC NetWorker versions 18.x-19.4.0.1. Learn about the risks, technical details, and mitigation strategies for this high severity vulnerability.
Dell EMC NetWorker, versions 18.x, 19.1.x, 19.2.x, 19.3.x, 19.4, and 19.4.0.1 are affected by an Improper Certificate Validation vulnerability. An attacker in the same network could exploit this vulnerability for man-in-the-middle attacks.
Understanding CVE-2021-21559
This section will delve into what CVE-2021-21559 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-21559?
The CVE-2021-21559 vulnerability specifically affects Dell EMC NetWorker versions 18.x, 19.1.x, 19.2.x, 19.3.x, 19.4, and 19.4.0.1. It stems from an issue with the client (NetWorker Management Console) components utilizing SSL encrypted connections.
The Impact of CVE-2021-21559
The vulnerability poses a high severity risk, with a CVSS base score of 7.1. An unauthenticated attacker within the same network collision domain as the NetWorker Management Console client could potentially execute man-in-the-middle attacks. This could allow them to intercept and manipulate traffic between the client and the application server.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-21559
Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-21559.
Vulnerability Description
CVE-2021-21559 involves an Improper Certificate Validation vulnerability in the client components that establish SSL connections with the application server.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts Dell EMC NetWorker versions 18.x, 19.1.x, 19.2.x, 19.3.x, 19.4, and 19.4.0.1.
Exploitation Mechanism
An unauthenticated attacker in the same network as the NetWorker Management Console client could exploit this vulnerability to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
Here's how organizations can address CVE-2021-21559 to enhance their security posture.
Immediate Steps to Take
Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and encryption to mitigate the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regular security assessments, employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and implementing robust encryption protocols are vital for long-term security.
Patching and Updates
Ensuring that affected systems are promptly patched and updated with the latest security fixes is crucial in preventing exploitation of vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-21559.