CVE-2021-23126 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Joomla! 3.2.0 through 3.9.24 where the usage of the insecure rand() function within the process of generating the 2FA secret poses a security risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-23126

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Joomla! CMS versions 3.2.0 through 3.9.24 that involves insecure randomness within 2FA secret generation.

What is CVE-2021-23126?

The CVE-2021-23126 pertains to an insecure randomness issue in Joomla! CMS versions 3.2.0 through 3.9.24, specifically related to the generation of 2FA secrets.

The Impact of CVE-2021-23126

A malicious actor could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the security of 2FA secrets generated by affected Joomla! CMS versions, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-23126

The following details outline the technical aspects of CVE-2021-23126.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the insecure implementation of the rand() function during the generation of 2FA secrets in Joomla! CMS versions 3.2.0 through 3.9.24.

Affected Systems and Versions

Joomla! CMS versions 3.2.0 through 3.9.24 are impacted by this vulnerability due to their utilization of the insecure randomness function in the 2FA secret generation process.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious individuals could potentially exploit this vulnerability to decipher or manipulate 2FA secrets, bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-23126, the following mitigation steps and preventative measures can be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Joomla! CMS to a secure version that addresses the insecure randomness issue within 2FA secret generation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong cryptographic functions for 2FA secret generation to enhance security.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Joomla! Project to stay informed about security patches.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security updates from Joomla! Project and promptly apply patches to ensure the security of Joomla! CMS installations.