CVE-2021-33831 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-33831, a vulnerability found in the TH Wildau COVID-19 Contact Tracing application.

Understanding CVE-2021-33831

This section delves into the nature of the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2021-33831?

The CVE-2021-33831 vulnerability exists in the 'api/account/register' function of the TH Wildau COVID-19 Contact Tracing application. It is characterized by Incorrect Access Control, allowing an attacker to disrupt infection chain tracing.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33831

Exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to compromise the integrity of contact tracing efforts by generating 500 random users in a mere 2500 seconds.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33831

This section outlines the specific technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the lack of proper access controls in the 'api/account/register' functionality, facilitating unauthorized user creation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue affects all versions of the TH Wildau COVID-19 Contact Tracing application through 2021-09-01.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by abusing the 'api/account/register' endpoint to rapidly create a large number of fake user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides guidance on addressing and mitigating the CVE-2021-33831 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to restrict access to the 'api/account/register' endpoint and monitor user creation activities closely.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access control mechanisms, conduct regular security assessments, and educate users on safe online practices to enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for the application developers to release a patch that addresses the access control issue in the 'api/account/register' function to prevent potential exploits.