CVE-2021-27021 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw was discovered in Puppet DB that allows for an escalation of privileges, enabling users to delete tables via an SQL query.

Understanding CVE-2021-27021

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Puppet DB that could result in a significant security risk.

What is CVE-2021-27021?

The flaw in Puppet DB allows unauthorized users to escalate their own privileges, leading to the ability to delete tables using SQL queries.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27021

The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it could result in unauthorized access and modification of critical data stored in the affected database.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27021

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Puppet DB allows for an escalation of privileges, enabling unauthorized users to delete tables via SQL queries.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions prior to Puppet DB 6.17.0, 7.4.1, Puppet Platform 6.23, 7.8.0, and PE 2021.2, 2019.8.7 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by executing SQL queries to delete tables, thereby gaining unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-27021.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update to Puppet DB versions 6.17.0, 7.4.1, Puppet Platform 6.23, 7.8.0, or PE 2021.2, 2019.8.7 to patch the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access controls, regular security audits, and user training on secure data practices can help enhance long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches provided by Puppet for Puppet DB is crucial to maintaining a secure deployment environment.