CVE-2021-27306 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An improper access control vulnerability in the JWT plugin in Kong Gateway prior to 2.3.2.0 allows unauthenticated users access to authenticated routes without a valid token JWT.

Understanding CVE-2021-27306

This CVE identifies an improper access control vulnerability in the JWT plugin of Kong Gateway that allows unauthorized access to authenticated routes.

What is CVE-2021-27306?

The vulnerability in the JWT plugin in Kong Gateway prior to version 2.3.2.0 enables unauthenticated users to access authenticated routes without a valid JWT token.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27306

The impact of this vulnerability is unauthorized access to authenticated routes, potentially exposing sensitive data and compromising the security of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27306

The technical details of CVE-2021-27306 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the improper access control mechanism within the JWT plugin of Kong Gateway, leading to unauthorized access to secure routes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Kong Gateway versions prior to 2.3.2.0 are affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions are at risk of unauthorized access to authenticated routes.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves leveraging the improper access control to bypass JWT token validation, gaining unauthorized access to protected resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-27306, consider the following:

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Kong Gateway to version 2.3.2.0 or newer to prevent unauthorized access to authenticated routes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper access control measures, regularly review security configurations, and monitor access logs to detect any unauthorized activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Kong Gateway and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.