CVE-2021-36783 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in SUSE Rancher allows authenticated users to access credentials stored in cleartext, impacting versions prior to 2.6.4 and 2.5.13.

Understanding CVE-2021-36783

This CVE identifies an Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in SUSE Rancher, enabling authenticated users to view sensitive data.

What is CVE-2021-36783?

CVE-2021-36783 highlights a security flaw in SUSE Rancher that exposes cleartext credentials, passwords, and API tokens to authenticated users through API endpoints.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36783

The vulnerability poses a critical risk by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36783

The technical details of CVE-2021-36783 encompass the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate protection of credentials in SUSE Rancher, enabling authenticated users to retrieve cleartext credentials from API endpoints.

Affected Systems and Versions

SUSE Rancher versions prior to 2.6.4 and 2.5.13 are susceptible to this vulnerability, exposing credentials to Cluster Owners, Cluster Members, Project Owners, and Project Members.

Exploitation Mechanism

Users with appropriate authentication can exploit the vulnerability to access sensitive data, compromising the security and integrity of the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-36783, immediate steps need to be taken to secure the system and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using affected versions of SUSE Rancher should update to versions 2.6.4 or 2.5.13 to mitigate the vulnerability and protect sensitive data.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure credential management practices, such as encrypting credentials and limiting access based on user roles, can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying patches and updates provided by SUSE Rancher is crucial to stay protected against emerging vulnerabilities and security threats.