CVE-2021-21601 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Dell EMC Data Protection Search versions 19.4 and prior, as well as IDPA versions 2.6.1 and earlier, are impacted by an Information Exposure in Log File Vulnerability. This vulnerability could be exploited by a local low-privileged attacker to reveal specific user credentials, allowing unauthorized access to the application.

Understanding CVE-2021-21601

This section will cover the details of CVE-2021-21601, including its impact and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2021-21601?

The CVE-2021-21601 vulnerability affects Dell EMC Data Protection Search and IDPA, potentially leading to the exposure of user credentials, hence compromising system security.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21601

With a CVSS base score of 8.8, the impact of this vulnerability is considered high due to the potential exposure of critical user data to unauthorized entities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21601

In this section, we will delve into the technical specifics of CVE-2021-21601, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker with low privileges to access user credentials stored in log files, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

Dell EMC Data Protection Search versions 19.4 and previous, as well as IDPA versions 2.6.1 and before, are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the Information Exposure in Log File Vulnerability, attackers can potentially extract user credentials from the log files and gain unauthorized access to the application.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides recommendations on how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-21601 and prevent future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the affected systems to the latest versions and monitor for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access controls, regular security audits, and educating users on safe security practices can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates provided by Dell for the affected products is crucial to safeguard against known vulnerabilities and exploits.