CVE-2021-28246 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CA eHealth Performance Manager through 6.3.2.12 is affected by Privilege Escalation via a Dynamically Linked Shared Object Library, leading to execution of malicious code as the ehealth user.

Understanding CVE-2021-28246

This CVE describes a privilege escalation vulnerability in CA eHealth Performance Manager that can be exploited through a dynamically linked shared object library.

What is CVE-2021-28246?

CVE-2021-28246 is a security flaw in CA eHealth Performance Manager, allowing a regular user to execute malicious code as the ehealth user by exploiting how shared object libraries are loaded.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28246

The vulnerability poses a risk of privilege escalation, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the eHealth system by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28246

This section provides more insight into the nature of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A regular user can create a malicious library in the writable RPATH, which gets dynamically linked when the 'emtgtctl2' executable is executed. The code within this library is then run with the privileges of the ehealth user.

Affected Systems and Versions

CA eHealth Performance Manager versions up to 6.3.2.12 are affected by this vulnerability. It is crucial for users of these unsupported versions to be aware of the risks associated with CVE-2021-28246.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially designed library in a specific location to take advantage of the way executable programs load shared objects.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems from CVE-2021-28246, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of affected versions should consider upgrading to a supported release or implementing additional security measures to mitigate the risk of privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments, access controls, and monitoring mechanisms can help prevent and detect similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Maintainers of CA eHealth Performance Manager should stay informed about security patches and updates from the vendor to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.