CVE-2021-33736 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in SINEC NMS (All versions < V1.0 SP2 Update 1) where a privileged authenticated attacker could execute arbitrary commands in the local database by sending crafted requests to the webserver of the affected application.

Understanding CVE-2021-33736

This section will provide an insight into the details, impact, technical descriptions, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-33736.

What is CVE-2021-33736?

CVE-2021-33736 refers to a vulnerability found in SINEC NMS, impacting all versions before V1.0 SP2 Update 1. It allows a privileged attacker to run arbitrary commands in the local database by sending specifically crafted requests to the application's web server.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33736

The vulnerability enables an authenticated attacker to exploit the system by executing unauthorized commands in the application's database, potentially leading to data manipulation or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33736

In this section, we will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2021-33736, classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), allows an attacker to perform SQL injection attacks, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands within the local database.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of SINEC NMS that are older than V1.0 SP2 Update 1.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending carefully crafted requests to the web server of the application, a privileged authenticated attacker can exploit the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands within the local database.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers the necessary steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-33736 and enhance the overall security posture.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches released by Siemens to address the vulnerability. Additionally, access to the application's web server should be restricted to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and providing training on SQL injection prevention can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update SINEC NMS to the latest version (V1.0 SP2 Update 1 or newer) to eliminate the vulnerability and protect the system from potential exploits.