CVE-2021-22001 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-22001, a vulnerability found in the Cloud Foundry UAA server prior to version 75.3.0.

Understanding CVE-2021-22001

CVE-2021-22001 is a vulnerability that existed in UAA versions before 75.3.0, leading to the exposure of sensitive information, such as the relaying secret of the provider, in the server's response.

What is CVE-2021-22001?

In UAA versions prior to 75.3.0, when a deletion request for an identity provider (IdP) of type 'oauth 1.0' was sent to the UAA server, sensitive information like the relaying secret of the provider was disclosed in the server's response.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22001

This exposure of sensitive information could allow unauthorized actors to access and misuse critical data, posing a significant security risk to affected systems and potentially leading to data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22001

The technical details of CVE-2021-22001 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from a flaw in UAA versions prior to 75.3.0 that resulted in the inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information during deletion requests of specific identity provider types.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Cloud Foundry UAA server versions prior to 75.3.0 are affected by this vulnerability, potentially impacting systems that utilize these versions for user authentication and authorization.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves sending a deletion request for an identity provider of type 'oauth 1.0' to the UAA server, triggering the disclosure of sensitive information in the server's response.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-22001, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade the Cloud Foundry UAA server to version 75.3.0 or higher to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive information to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by VMware or relevant vendors to ensure the timely application of fixes and enhancements.