CVE-2021-36801 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Akaunting version 2.1.12 and earlier has been found to have an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass authentication via a user-controllable field, specifically 'companies[0]'. This issue has been identified and reported by Wiktor Sędkowski of Nokia and Trevor Christiansen of Rapid7. It has a high severity score of 8.1.

Understanding CVE-2021-36801

This CVE concerns an authentication bypass vulnerability in Akaunting version 2.1.12 and earlier that could potentially impact the security of user data and system integrity.

What is CVE-2021-36801?

The CVE-2021-36801 vulnerability in Akaunting allows unauthorized users to bypass the authentication process by exploiting a user-controllable field, 'companies[0]'. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36801

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in high confidentiality and integrity impacts on affected systems. Attackers with low privileges can perform unauthorized actions, posing a serious threat to the security of the application and user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36801

This section outlines the specifics of the vulnerability, including the description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

Akaunting version 2.1.12 and earlier are affected by an authentication bypass issue in the user-controllable field 'companies[0]'. This flaw allows attackers to circumvent the authentication process.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Akaunting version 2.1.12 and earlier. Users of these versions are at risk of unauthorized access by malicious actors leveraging the authentication bypass flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the user-controllable field 'companies[0]', granting them unauthorized access without proper authentication.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-36801, users and administrators are advised to take immediate action to mitigate risks and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to the patched version 2.1.13 of Akaunting to prevent exploitation of the authentication bypass issue. Additionally, review user permissions and access controls to limit unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust authentication mechanisms, conduct regular security assessments, and stay informed about software vulnerabilities to enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update Akaunting to the latest versions and apply security patches promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities and ensure system security.