CVE-2021-36779 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in SUSE Longhorn allows any workload in the cluster to execute any binary present in the image on the host without authentication. This vulnerability affects SUSE Longhorn versions prior to 1.1.3 and 1.2.3.

Understanding CVE-2021-36779

This section dives into the details of CVE-2021-36779.

What is CVE-2021-36779?

CVE-2021-36779 is a Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in SUSE Longhorn that enables any workload in the cluster to execute any binary present in the image on the host without authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36779

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as critical with a CVSS base score of 9.6. It poses a high risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36779

This section covers the technical aspects of CVE-2021-36779.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized workloads to run binaries on the host without authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized access and sensitive data exposure.

Affected Systems and Versions

SUSE Longhorn versions prior to 1.1.3 and 1.2.3 are affected by this vulnerability, specially longhorn versions less than 1.1.3 and 1.2.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the missing authentication for critical functions to execute binaries on the host without proper authorization.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-36779.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update SUSE Longhorn to version 1.1.3 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized execution of binaries on the host.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access control mechanisms, regularly update software, and monitor for unauthorized activities to enhance the overall security posture of the system.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from SUSE and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities and protect the system from potential attacks.