CVE-2021-32647 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Emissary, a P2P based data-driven workflow engine developed by National Security Agency, is found to be vulnerable to a post-authentication Remote Code Execution (RCE) attack. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2021-32647, allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code or disrupt the application, posing a significant risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Understanding CVE-2021-32647

Emissary with affected versions faces a critical security issue where an attacker can exploit a REST endpoint to achieve remote code execution post-authentication.

What is CVE-2021-32647?

The CVE-2021-32647 vulnerability in Emissary arises due to improper input validation in the

CreatePlace

REST endpoint. By manipulating the

sppClassName

parameter, an attacker can load and execute arbitrary classes, leading to potential code execution or application disruption.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32647

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as high, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. While the chances of achieving code execution are low, attackers can still cause application crashes or leak sensitive data, highlighting the severity of this issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32647

The vulnerability resides in the

CreatePlace

REST endpoint of Emissary, allowing for the loading and execution of arbitrary classes, leading to post-authentication Remote Code Execution.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability permits an attacker to load and execute an arbitrary class using a specific constructor signature, potentially enabling Remote Code Execution or application disruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Emissary version = 6.4.0 is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, where an attacker can exploit the

CreatePlace

REST endpoint for post-authentication RCE.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the

sppClassName

parameter in the

CreatePlace

endpoint, an attacker can load and execute arbitrary classes, making it a critical security risk.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-32647, immediate action is required to ensure the security of Emissary installations and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

As a workaround, it is recommended to disable network access to Emissary from untrusted sources to mitigate the risk of unauthorized code execution or application disruption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and ensuring timely updates can help prevent such vulnerabilities in Emissary and other systems.

Patching and Updates

Users of Emissary are advised to apply security patches and updates provided by the National Security Agency to fix the vulnerability and enhance the overall security of the system.