CVE-2021-26271 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Understand the impact of CVE-2021-26271, a vulnerability in CKEditor 4 before 4.16 allowing ReDoS attack through crafted text inputs. Learn how to mitigate and prevent exploitation.
A detailed overview of CVE-2021-26271, a vulnerability that allowed for a ReDoS-type attack within CKEditor 4 before version 4.16 by manipulating crafted text inputs.
Understanding CVE-2021-26271
This section will cover the essential aspects of CVE-2021-26271.
What is CVE-2021-26271?
The vulnerability CVE-2021-26271 enabled threat actors to execute a ReDoS-type attack within CKEditor 4 before version 4.16. The attack vector involved tricking a user into pasting specifically crafted text into the Styles input of certain dialogs, particularly in the Advanced Tab for Dialogs plugin.
The Impact of CVE-2021-26271
The exploitation of CVE-2021-26271 could result in a successful ReDoS attack, potentially leading to denial of service (DoS) conditions or other malicious activities.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-26271
In this section, we delve into the technical specifics of CVE-2021-26271.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stemmed from a flaw that allowed malicious actors to insert specially crafted text inputs into CKEditor 4, triggering a ReDoS attack.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of CKEditor 4 preceding 4.16 were susceptible to this vulnerability, making them potential targets for exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Threat actors could carry out a ReDoS attack by coercing users to input maliciously crafted text into the Styles dialogue of specific CKEditor 4 dialogs, particularly in the Advanced Tab for Dialogs plugin.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section focuses on the mitigation strategies and preventive measures for CVE-2021-26271.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update their CKEditor 4 installations to version 4.16 or newer to eliminate the vulnerability and protect against potential exploits.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing a robust security posture, including regular software updates, security patches, and user awareness training, can fortify defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by CKEditor to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-26271 and enhance overall system security.