CVE-2021-26704 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-26704, a vulnerability in EPrints 3.4.2 that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via crafted input to the verb parameter in a cgi/toolbox/toolbox URI.

Understanding CVE-2021-26704

This section delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-26704.

What is CVE-2021-26704?

CVE-2021-26704 pertains to a security flaw in EPrints 3.4.2 that enables malicious actors to run arbitrary commands by manipulating the verb parameter in a specific URI.

The Impact of CVE-2021-26704

The vulnerability in EPrints 3.4.2 can be exploited remotely by threat actors to execute unauthorized commands, posing a significant risk to the security and integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-26704

In this section, we explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2021-26704.

Vulnerability Description

EPrints 3.4.2 is susceptible to remote code execution due to improper input validation in the verb parameter within a specific URI, allowing attackers to execute commands of their choice.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all instances of EPrints 3.4.2, enabling threat actors to exploit the weakness present in the cgi/toolbox/toolbox URI.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending specially crafted input to the verb parameter of the cgi/toolbox/toolbox URI, remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands, compromising the security of the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to safeguard systems against CVE-2021-26704.

Immediate Steps to Take

System administrators are advised to disable the affected functionality or implement strict input validation to prevent unauthorized command execution through the verb parameter.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits, updates, and user input validation checks are crucial to maintaining the robustness of the system and preventing similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Vendor-provided patches or updates addressing the vulnerability in EPrints 3.4.2 should be promptly applied to eliminate the risk of remote code execution.