CVE-2021-29653 : Security Advisory and Response

HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise 1.5.1 and newer versions may exclude revoked but unexpired certificates from the CRL under certain circumstances. This vulnerability has been fixed in versions 1.5.8, 1.6.4, and 1.7.1.

Understanding CVE-2021-29653

This CVE involves HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 1.5.1 and above excluding revoked but unexpired certificates from the CRL under specific conditions.

What is CVE-2021-29653?

HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 1.5.1 and newer may not properly include revoked but unexpired certificates in the Certificate Revocation List (CRL) due to certain circumstances, potentially leading to security issues.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29653

The impact of this vulnerability is that revoked but unexpired certificates might be excluded from the CRL, which could allow an attacker to use a certificate that should have been revoked, posing a risk to the security of systems using affected versions of HashiCorp Vault.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29653

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises in HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 1.5.1 and above where revoked but unexpired certificates may be omitted from the CRL, potentially allowing their use.

Affected Systems and Versions

HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 1.5.1 and newer are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could potentially use a revoked but unexpired certificate to gain unauthorized access or conduct other malicious activities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems, follow the mitigation strategies outlined below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to patched versions 1.5.8, 1.6.4, or 1.7.1 of HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update the certificates in the CRL to ensure revoked certificates are properly included.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from HashiCorp and promptly apply patches to mitigate vulnerabilities.