CVE-2021-29041 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-29041, a DoS vulnerability in Liferay DXP 7.3, allowing attackers to disrupt user authentication. Learn about mitigation steps and necessary patches.
A denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability has been identified in the Multi-Factor Authentication module in Liferay DXP 7.3 before fix pack 1. This vulnerability allows remote authenticated attackers to disrupt the authentication process, making it impossible for users to authenticate.
Understanding CVE-2021-29041
This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2021-29041 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-29041?
The CVE-2021-29041 vulnerability is a DoS issue in Liferay DXP 7.3 that enables remote authenticated attackers to interfere with the authentication of users. This can be achieved by enabling Time-based One-time password (TOTP) on behalf of another user or modifying the shared TOTP secret of another user.
The Impact of CVE-2021-29041
The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to disrupt the authentication process, potentially leading to unauthorized access to systems and sensitive information.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-29041
This section will provide technical insights into CVE-2021-29041.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in the Multi-Factor Authentication module in Liferay DXP 7.3 before fix pack 1 exposes an opportunity for remote authenticated attackers to interfere with the authentication process, impacting user access.
Affected Systems and Versions
Liferay DXP 7.3 versions prior to fix pack 1 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating TOTP settings either by enabling TOTP on behalf of another user or by modifying their TOTP shared secret.
Mitigation and Prevention
In this section, we will discuss measures to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-29041.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to apply the necessary security patches released by Liferay to address this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should educate users on safe authentication practices.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing strong authentication mechanisms and regularly updating software can help prevent such vulnerabilities in the long term.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security updates and patches from Liferay to ensure that systems are protected from known vulnerabilities.