CVE-2021-30476 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

HashiCorp Terraform’s Vault Provider (terraform-provider-vault) had a vulnerability where it did not correctly configure GCE-type bound labels for Vault’s GCP auth method. This issue has been fixed in version 2.19.1.

Understanding CVE-2021-30476

This section provides an insight into the details and impact of CVE-2021-30476.

What is CVE-2021-30476?

CVE-2021-30476 is a vulnerability found in HashiCorp Terraform’s Vault Provider, specifically in the configuration of GCE-type bound labels for Vault’s GCP auth method.

The Impact of CVE-2021-30476

The vulnerability could potentially allow unauthorized access due to incorrect configuration of GCE-type bound labels, posing a security risk to systems using Terraform’s Vault Provider.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-30476

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The misconfiguration in HashiCorp Terraform’s Vault Provider could lead to security breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions prior to 2.19.1 of the Terraform’s Vault Provider are affected by CVE-2021-30476.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the misconfigured GCE-type bound labels to gain unauthorized access via Vault’s GCP auth method.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-30476.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Terraform’s Vault Provider to version 2.19.1 or above to eliminate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure configuration practices and regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by HashiCorp to ensure the security of your systems.