CVE-2021-22572 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability has been identified in the Data-Transfer-Project by Google LLC that could lead to information disclosure via the tmp directory.

Understanding CVE-2021-22572

This CVE highlights a critical flaw in how sensitive information is handled in unix-like systems, potentially exposing data to unauthorized users.

What is CVE-2021-22572?

The vulnerability stems from creating temporary files with world-readable permissions in the system temporary directory, allowing local users to access sensitive data written to these files.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22572

With a CVSS base score of 5.5, this medium-severity vulnerability poses a high confidentiality impact, particularly on unix-like systems where the temporary directory is shared among users.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22572

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The root cause lies in how File.createTempFile operation handles file creation, leaving temporary files with world-readable permissions, making sensitive data accessible to all local users.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Data-Transfer-Project versions prior to 0.3.57 are affected by this vulnerability, putting any data handled by the application at risk on unix-like systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires local access to the impacted system, where an attacker can leverage the world-readable temporary files to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-22572, it is crucial to take immediate steps, implement long-term security practices, and prioritize applying relevant patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to a version beyond 0.3.57 of the Data-Transfer-Project to mitigate the risk of information disclosure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict file permission policies, conduct regular security audits, and educate users on safe data handling practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Google LLC for the Data-Transfer-Project to ensure that the latest patches are applied promptly.