CVE-2021-32743 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact and mitigation of CVE-2021-32743, a high-severity vulnerability in Icinga 2 that exposed passwords to external services through the API. Learn how to secure your systems.
This article discusses CVE-2021-32743, a vulnerability in Icinga 2 that inadvertently exposed passwords used to access external services through the API.
Understanding CVE-2021-32743
This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of the CVE-2021-32743 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-32743?
Icinga 2 versions prior to 2.11.10 and from version 2.12.0 through 2.12.4 exposed credentials for external services through the API, allowing authenticated API users to access sensitive information.
The Impact of CVE-2021-32743
The vulnerability had a high severity level with a CVSS base score of 8.8. Attackers could impersonate Icinga to access and manipulate information on external services, leading to potential data breaches and misuse.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-32743
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
Credentials for Icinga features were exposed via the API, including IdoMysqlConnection, IdoPgsqlConnection, IcingaDB, and ElasticsearchWriter, enabling unauthorized access to database and server passwords.
Affected Systems and Versions
Icinga 2 versions < 2.11.10 and >= 2.12.0, <= 2.12.4 were impacted by this vulnerability, leaving systems using these versions at risk of credential exposure.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with read permissions could exploit the exposed credentials to execute unauthorized actions on external services, potentially compromising data integrity and confidentiality.
Mitigation and Prevention
Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-32743 and prevent future occurrences.
Immediate Steps to Take
Update to Icinga 2 versions 2.11.10 and 2.12.5 or higher to prevent password exposure through the API. Restrict API user permissions to minimize access to affected objects.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement strict permission controls and regularly review API user access to limit data exposure risks. Educate users on secure password handling practices.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Icinga to address vulnerabilities and enhance system security.