CVE-2021-32076 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed analysis of the CVE-2021-32076 vulnerability affecting SolarWinds Web Help Desk versions <= 12.7.5 due to an access restriction bypass via referrer spoof.

Understanding CVE-2021-32076

This CVE discloses a vulnerability in SolarWinds Web Help Desk version 12.7.2 that allows an attacker to access the admin account creation page from a non-privileged IP address by altering the HTTP request referrer.

What is CVE-2021-32076?

The CVE-2021-32076 vulnerability, classified as CWE-290, enables an attacker to bypass authentication via referrer spoofing in SolarWinds Web Help Desk version 12.7.2.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32076

The vulnerability has a CVSSv3.1 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity issue with low confidentiality impact and no integrity impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32076

This section provides insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exposes the 'Web Help Desk Getting Started Wizard' to unauthorized access by spoofing the referrer header in HTTP requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

SolarWinds Web Help Desk versions <= 12.7.5 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can change the referrer from a public IP address to a loopback one, allowing access to sensitive pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover how to protect your systems against CVE-2021-32076.

Immediate Steps to Take

SolarWinds recommends upgrading to version 12.7.6 promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict access controls and monitor referrer headers to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches to defend against potential threats.