CVE-2021-36738 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed overview of the CVE-2021-36738 vulnerability affecting Apache Portals.

Understanding CVE-2021-36738

This CVE identifies a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the JSP version of the Apache Pluto Applicant MVCBean CDI portlet.

What is CVE-2021-36738?

The input fields within the Apache Pluto portlet are susceptible to XSS attacks, posing a security risk to users interacting with the application.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36738

The vulnerability could allow malicious actors to execute malicious scripts in the context of an end-user's browser, potentially compromising sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36738

This section delves deeper into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in the Apache Pluto Applicant MVCBean CDI portlet JSP version enables attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts, compromising user data and system integrity.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is 'Apache Portals' with the vulnerable version being 'org.apache.portals.pluto.demo:applicant-mvcbean-cdi-jsp-portlet 3.1.0'.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises due to inadequate input validation within the JSP version of the portlet, allowing attackers to inject harmful scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-36738.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to uninstall the vulnerable applicant-mvcbean-cdi-jsp-portlet.war artifact or upgrade to version 3.1.1 to safeguard against XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate stringent input validation mechanisms, security audits, and continuous monitoring to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by Apache Software Foundation to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.