CVE-2021-36542 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in SeedDMS v5.1.x<5.1.23 and v6.0.x <6.0.16 allows a remote attacker to lock any document without the victim's knowledge.

Understanding CVE-2021-36542

This CVE describes a security issue in SeedDMS that enables an attacker to manipulate document locking through CSRF attacks.

What is CVE-2021-36542?

The vulnerability in /op/op.LockDocument.php in SeedDMS versions 5.1.x<5.1.23 and 6.0.x<6.0.16 allows unauthorized locking of documents by exploiting authenticated users.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36542

An attacker can coerce authenticated users to visit a malicious website, leading to the remote locking of documents without user consent.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36542

The following details outline the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in SeedDMS permits an attacker to initiate document locks remotely through CSRF attacks, bypassing user permission.

Affected Systems and Versions

SeedDMS versions 5.1.x<5.1.23 and 6.0.x<6.0.16 are susceptible to this CSRF exploit, posing a threat to document security.

Exploitation Mechanism

By luring authenticated users to visit a malicious webpage, an attacker can execute CSRF attacks to lock documents without user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-36542, consider the following security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade SeedDMS to versions beyond 5.1.23 and 6.0.16 to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability affecting document locking.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict CSRF protection mechanisms and educate users on recognizing and avoiding malicious websites to prevent unauthorized exploits.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by SeedDMS to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.