CVE-2021-22150 : What You Need to Know
Critical vulnerability CVE-2021-22150 in Kibana allows attackers to run arbitrary commands with high impact. Learn about the issue, impact, and mitigation steps.
A critical vulnerability, CVE-2021-22150, allows an attacker to execute commands on the Kibana server by uploading a malicious package with Fleet admin permissions.
Understanding CVE-2021-22150
CVE-2021-22150 relates to a security issue in Kibana, a component of the Elastic Stack, version 7.10.2, where a user with Fleet admin privileges can exploit the vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-22150?
The vulnerability arises from the insecure handling of packages due to an outdated version of the js-yaml library. This oversight permits an attacker to run arbitrary commands on the Kibana server.
The Impact of CVE-2021-22150
The potential impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows unauthorized remote code execution, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Kibana server.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-22150
This section delves deeper into the specifics of the CVE, covering vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw enables threat actors to execute arbitrary code by manipulating the package upload process with Fleet admin permissions in Kibana.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Kibana version 7.10.2 and prior, with version 7.14.0 being the first unaffected release. Users are advised to update to versions beyond 7.14.0 to mitigate the risk.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can take advantage of the flaw by crafting a malicious package and uploading it to the server, leveraging the insecure loading process to execute unauthorized commands.
Mitigation and Prevention
Learn how to safeguard your systems from CVE-2021-22150 and prevent potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should upgrade Kibana to version 7.14.0 or higher immediately to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance system security.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement strict access controls, regularly update software components, and conduct security audits to reduce the risk of future vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates from Elastic and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.