CVE-2021-36739 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Apache Pluto 3.1.0 MVCBean JSP portlet maven archetype by Apache Portals has a vulnerability in the 'first name' and 'last name' fields susceptible to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-36739

This CVE entry describes a security vulnerability in the Apache Portals MVCBean JSP portlet archetype.

What is CVE-2021-36739?

The vulnerability in the Apache Pluto 3.1.0 maven archetype allows for Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks through the 'first name' and 'last name' fields.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36739

The XSS vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and possible account compromise for users interacting with affected applications.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36739

The technical details of the CVE-2021-36739 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The 'first name' and 'last name' fields of the Apache Pluto 3.1.0 MVCBean JSP portlet maven archetype are vulnerable to XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected version is org.apache.portals.pluto.archetype:mvcbean-jsp-portlet-archetype 3.1.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the 'first name' and 'last name' fields of the maven archetype.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2021-36739, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Developers must escape rendered values in the 'First Name' and 'Last Name' fields of the greeting.jspx file to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Moving forward, projects should be generated from version 3.1.1 of the Maven archetype to mitigate XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the latest version of the Maven archetype (3.1.1) is used for all projects to address and prevent XSS vulnerabilities effectively.