CVE-2021-33336 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability was discovered in the Journal module's add article menu in Liferay Portal 7.3.0 through 7.3.3, and Liferay DXP 7.1 fix pack 18, and 7.2 fix pack 5 through 7. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a specific parameter.

Understanding CVE-2021-33336

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-33336 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-33336?

CVE-2021-33336 is a Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that affects Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP versions, allowing unauthorized remote script injection.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33336

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to the injection of malicious scripts or HTML code, enabling attackers to manipulate the content of web pages viewed by users.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33336

In this section, we delve into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in the Journal module of Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP versions allows cybercriminals to execute malicious scripts through a particular parameter, potentially compromising user data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liferay Portal versions 7.3.0 through 7.3.3 and Liferay DXP versions 7.1 fix pack 18, and 7.2 fix pack 5 through 7 are impacted by this security flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers exploit the _com_liferay_journal_web_portlet_JournalPortlet_name parameter to inject unauthorized web scripts or HTML content into vulnerable systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2021-33336 is crucial to maintaining a secure environment.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP to the latest patched versions that address this XSS vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation techniques to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate potential threats proactively.
Educate users about safe browsing practices to mitigate the risks associated with XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Liferay and apply patches promptly to secure your systems against known vulnerabilities.