CVE-2021-34553 : Security Advisory and Response

Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3.x before 3.31.0 is vulnerable to a security issue that allows a remote authenticated attacker to access and read blob files without proper authorization.

Understanding CVE-2021-34553

This CVE refers to the specific vulnerability found in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3.x versions before 3.31.0 that enables unauthorized access to blob files by authenticated remote attackers.

What is CVE-2021-34553?

The CVE-2021-34553 vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3.x versions before 3.31.0 permits remote authenticated attackers to retrieve a list of blob files and read the content of a blob file without the necessary access permissions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34553

The impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows unauthorized users to potentially view sensitive information contained within blob files, leading to confidentiality breaches and potential data leaks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34553

This section provides insight into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The security flaw in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3.x versions before 3.31.0 enables remote authenticated attackers to obtain a listing of blob files and read blob file contents via HTTP GET requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3.x versions prior to 3.31.0 are impacted by CVE-2021-34553, exposing them to the risk of unauthorized access to blob files.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, remote authenticated attackers can send specially crafted HTTP GET requests to access a list of blob files and retrieve their content without appropriate permissions.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this segment, we will explore immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3.x should upgrade to version 3.31.0 or newer to mitigate the CVE-2021-34553 vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for any unauthorized access attempts is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance security posture, users are advised to implement access controls, regularly review and adjust permissions, conduct security audits, and educate users on secure practices.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and staying informed about software updates is crucial to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-34553 and protect systems from potential exploitation.