CVE-2021-2454 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides details about CVE-2021-2454, a vulnerability in Oracle VM VirtualBox that could allow a low-privileged attacker to compromise the system.

Understanding CVE-2021-2454

This section explores the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-2454.

What is CVE-2021-2454?

CVE-2021-2454 is a vulnerability in Oracle VM VirtualBox's Core component, affecting versions prior to 6.1.24. It enables a low-privileged attacker to compromise the system, potentially leading to a complete takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox.

The Impact of CVE-2021-2454

The vulnerability poses a significant threat with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 7.0, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could result in a complete takeover of the affected Oracle VM VirtualBox instances.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-2454

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

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows a low-privileged attacker with login credentials to compromise the infrastructure running Oracle VM VirtualBox, potentially resulting in a complete system compromise.

Affected Systems and Versions

VM VirtualBox versions prior to 6.1.24 are susceptible to this vulnerability, putting users of these versions at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

The attack complexity is rated as HIGH, with a LOCAL attack vector and LOW privileges required. The vulnerability's impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity is severe, making it a high-risk issue.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the immediate steps to mitigate the vulnerability and secure systems in the long term.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Oracle VM VirtualBox installations to version 6.1.24 or newer to address this vulnerability. Additionally, limiting user privileges and network access can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitoring security advisories, practicing the principle of least privilege, and implementing network segmentation are essential long-term security practices to prevent and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Staying proactive with patch management and promptly applying security updates from Oracle can help protect systems from known vulnerabilities.