CVE-2021-36090 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about the Apache Commons Compress 1.0 to 1.20 denial of service vulnerability (CVE-2021-36090).

Understanding CVE-2021-36090

In this section, we will explore what CVE-2021-36090 is all about.

What is CVE-2021-36090?

CVE-2021-36090 refers to a denial of service vulnerability in Apache Commons Compress versions 1.0 to 1.20. It arises when reading a specially crafted ZIP archive, leading to an out of memory error and potential denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36090

The vulnerability can be exploited to trigger an out of memory error even for small inputs, allowing attackers to target services that utilize Compress' zip package.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36090

Let's dive deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-36090.

Vulnerability Description

When processing malicious ZIP archives, Apache Commons Compress can unintentionally allocate excessive memory, resulting in denial of service conditions due to out of memory errors.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Apache Commons Compress versions 1.0 to 1.20.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting ZIP archives in a specific way that triggers the excessive memory allocation in Apache Commons Compress.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here, we discuss the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-36090.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Commons Compress version 1.21 or later to address this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to stay updated on security advisories and promptly apply patches to prevent potential exploits.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates from the Apache Software Foundation and apply necessary patches to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.