CVE-2021-22517 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A potential unauthorized privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in Micro Focus Data Protector, affecting multiple versions. This vulnerability could be exploited by a privileged user, leading to unintended and unauthorized data access.

Understanding CVE-2021-22517

This section will provide an overview of CVE-2021-22517, detailing the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2021-22517?

The CVE-2021-22517 is a privileged escalation vulnerability discovered in the Micro Focus Data Protector software. The issue resides in versions 10.10, 10.20, 10.30, 10.40, 10.50, 10.60, 10.70, 10.80, 10.0, and 10.91, allowing a privileged user to potentially escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22517

If exploited, this vulnerability can result in unauthorized privilege escalation within Data Protector, enabling an attacker to bypass security restrictions and access sensitive data. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized data alterations, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22517

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-22517, including a description of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a privileged user to misuse a feature in Data Protector, leading to unauthorized privilege escalation and potential data access. This could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Micro Focus Data Protector versions 10.10, 10.20, 10.30, 10.40, 10.50, 10.60, 10.70, 10.80, 10.0, and 10.91 are impacted by this privilege escalation vulnerability. Users of these versions should take immediate action to secure their systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, a privileged user can manipulate the system to gain higher access levels than intended, enabling them to perform unauthorized actions within Data Protector.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides guidance on addressing CVE-2021-22517 to enhance security posture and protect systems from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2021-22517, users should apply security updates provided by Micro Focus promptly. Additionally, monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that may indicate unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, conducting regular security audits, and providing security awareness training to users can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for users of affected Data Protector versions to regularly check for security patches and updates from Micro Focus. Applying patches in a timely manner is essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.