CVE-2021-31215 : What You Need to Know

SchedMD Slurm before version 20.02.7 and versions 20.03.x through 20.11.x before 20.11.7 are prone to a remote code execution vulnerability. This issue allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code as 'SlurmUser' due to mishandling of environmental variables.

Understanding CVE-2021-31215

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-31215 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-31215?

The CVE-2021-31215 vulnerability affects SchedMD Slurm versions before 20.02.7 and 20.03.x through 20.11.x before 20.11.7, enabling remote code execution by an attacker under the context of 'SlurmUser'. The flaw arises from the incorrect handling of environment variables triggered by the use of PrologSlurmctld or EpilogSlurmctld scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31215

This vulnerability poses a significant risk as unauthorized remote attackers can exploit it to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of 'SlurmUser'. This unauthorized access can lead to a compromise of sensitive information, disruption of services, and potential further exploitation of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31215

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-31215, including the description of the vulnerability, affected systems, affected versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

SchedMD Slurm before version 20.02.7 and versions 20.03.x through 20.11.x before 20.11.7 suffer from a remote code execution vulnerability due to mishandling of environment variables when utilizing PrologSlurmctld or EpilogSlurmctld scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts SchedMD Slurm versions before 20.02.7 and 20.03.x through 20.11.x before 20.11.7.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specific request that triggers the mishandling of environment variables by executing malicious code as 'SlurmUser'. This can be achieved through specially crafted PrologSlurmctld or EpilogSlurmctld scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-31215 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update SchedMD Slurm to version 20.02.7, 20.11.7, or newer to address the vulnerability.
Organizations should ensure that PrologSlurmctld and EpilogSlurmctld scripts are used securely and validated to prevent unauthorized code execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent code injection attacks.
Regularly monitor and update the software to patch any emerging security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates provided by SchedMD to promptly patch known vulnerabilities.
Employ network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential breaches.