CVE-2021-22957 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) vulnerability in the UniFi Protect application Version 1.19.2 and earlier allows a malicious actor to exploit a URL with malicious code to compromise a privileged user's account. The issue is resolved in UniFi Protect application Version 1.20.0 and later.

Understanding CVE-2021-22957

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in the UniFi Protect application that could be exploited by a malicious actor to take control of a user's account through a compromised URL.

What is CVE-2021-22957?

The CVE-2021-22957 vulnerability is related to Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) in the UniFi Protect application, enabling a threat actor to manipulate a privileged user's account via a specifically crafted URL.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22957

The impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows an attacker to potentially take over a user's account by leveraging a CORS misconfiguration in the UniFi Protect application.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22957

The technical details of CVE-2021-22957 encompass the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a misconfiguration in Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) within the UniFi Protect application, leading to the potential account takeover of a privileged user.

Affected Systems and Versions

UniFi Protect application Version 1.19.2 and earlier are susceptible to this vulnerability, with the issue being resolved in Version 1.20.0 and later.

Exploitation Mechanism

A threat actor can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a privileged user into accessing a URL embedded with malicious code, subsequently leading to a complete takeover of the user's account.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-22957, immediate steps need to be taken along with adherence to long-term security practices and timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is advised to update the UniFi Protect application to Version 1.20.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Users should also be cautious while clicking on URLs and avoid suspicious links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on best cybersecurity practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying software patches and updates, especially those addressing security issues, is crucial to maintaining a secure environment and safeguarding against potential exploits.