CVE-2021-28792 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides an in-depth overview of CVE-2021-28792, a vulnerability in the unofficial Swift Development Environment extension for Visual Studio Code that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Understanding CVE-2021-28792

CVE-2021-28792 is a security flaw in the unofficial Swift Development Environment extension before version 2.12.1 for Visual Studio Code. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to run malicious code by creating a specially crafted workspace.

What is CVE-2021-28792?

The vulnerability in the Swift Development Environment extension allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by manipulating certain configuration values within a workspace. This can lead to unauthorized code execution on the target system upon opening the workspace.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28792

The impact of CVE-2021-28792 is significant as it enables attackers to remotely execute malicious code on the affected system. This could result in unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28792

This section dives into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-28792, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of configuration values in the Swift Development Environment extension for Visual Studio Code. By manipulating specific configuration values, attackers can trigger the execution of arbitrary code upon workspace opening.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2021-28792 vulnerability affects the unofficial Swift Development Environment extension versions prior to 2.12.1 for Visual Studio Code. Users with these versions are at risk of exploitation by malicious actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2021-28792 by creating a workspace with carefully crafted configuration values for sourcekit-lsp.serverPath, swift.languageServerPath, swift.path.sourcekite, swift.path.sourcekiteDockerMode, swift.path.swift_driver_bin, or swift.path.shell. Upon loading the workspace, the malicious code gets executed.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-28792, users and administrators should take immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices to enhance the overall security posture.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the Swift Development Environment extension to version 2.12.1 or newer to address the vulnerability. Additionally, exercise caution when opening workspaces from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate secure coding practices, regularly update software and extensions, and conduct security assessments to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities within the development environment.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates related to the Swift Development Environment extension for Visual Studio Code. Regularly apply patches and updates to ensure a secure development environment.