CVE-2021-28398 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-28398, a vulnerability affecting GeoNetwork versions before 3.12.0 and 4.x before 4.0.4, allowing privileged attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands remotely.

Understanding CVE-2021-28398

This section explores the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-28398.

What is CVE-2021-28398?

The vulnerability in GeoNetwork versions before 3.12.0 and 4.x before 4.0.4 enables a privileged attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands remotely on the hosting infrastructure using the directory harvester before-script. This requires a User Administrator or Administrator account for exploitation, with the earliest affected version being 3.4.0.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28398

The security flaw allows unauthorized remote execution of commands, posing a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. It can lead to unauthorized data access, disruption of services, and potential compromise of the hosting infrastructure.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28398

Let's delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism of CVE-2021-28398.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability resides in the runBeforeScript method in LocalFilesystemHarvester.java, part of the GeoNetwork harvesters module. Attackers exploit this weakness to execute malicious commands on the target system remotely.

Affected Systems and Versions

GeoNetwork versions before 3.12.0 and 4.x before 4.0.4 are confirmed to be vulnerable to this security issue. Users are advised to update to the latest unaffected versions to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By utilizing the directory harvester before-script, a privileged attacker with User Administrator or Administrator permissions can remotely execute arbitrary OS commands, compromising the target system's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to safeguard your systems against CVE-2021-28398.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GeoNetwork to version 3.12.0 or 4.0.4, which includes patches to address this vulnerability.
Monitor system logs and network traffic for any suspicious activities indicative of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions and minimize the impact of potential breaches.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from GeoNetwork and promptly apply patches and updates to eliminate known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of your systems.