CVE-2021-29048 : Security Advisory and Response

A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Layout module's page administration page in Liferay Portal 7.3.4, 7.3.5, and Liferay DXP 7.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML, posing a security risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-29048

This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-29048 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-29048?

CVE-2021-29048 is a Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Liferay Portal 7.3.4, 7.3.5, and Liferay DXP 7.2 versions pre-fix pack 11 (for DXP 7.2) and pre-fix pack 1 (for DXP 7.3). This vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject and execute malicious scripts on the Layout module's page administration page, leading to potential security breaches.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29048

The impact of CVE-2021-29048 is significant, as it enables remote attackers to insert and run malicious web scripts or HTML code through the "_com_liferay_layout_admin_web_portlet_GroupPagesPortlet_name" parameter. This could result in unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive data, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29048

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-29048 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input in the specified parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts and execute them within the context of the affected page, opening avenues for Cross-site scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liferay Portal versions 7.3.4, 7.3.5, and Liferay DXP 7.2 before fix pack 11, and Liferay DXP 7.3 before fix pack 1 are confirmed to be impacted by CVE-2021-29048, highlighting the importance of prompt remediation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves crafting malicious input containing scripts or HTML code and submitting it through the affected parameter. Once executed, the injected code can perform unauthorized actions within the application context, potentially leading to data compromise or manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline the necessary measures to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-29048 and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Liferay to address the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding can help prevent XSS attacks by neutralizing malicious scripts embedded in user inputs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establishing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and raising awareness among developers and users about the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities are crucial for enhancing the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Liferay for addressing CVE-2021-29048. Timely deployment of patches is essential to keep the systems resilient against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.