CVE-2021-37750 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-37750, a vulnerability in MIT Kerberos 5 that could lead to a denial of service attack. Find out the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps here.
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability was discovered in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5, allowing attackers to cause a denial of service. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for CVE-2021-37750.
Understanding CVE-2021-37750
This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-37750 vulnerability in MIT Kerberos 5.
What is CVE-2021-37750?
The Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5 before 1.18.5 and 1.19.x before 1.19.3 has a NULL pointer dereference in kdc/do_tgs_req.c via a FAST inner body that lacks a server field.
The Impact of CVE-2021-37750
The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-37750
Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-37750 vulnerability in this section.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from a NULL pointer dereference in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5, affecting versions prior to 1.18.5 and 1.19.3.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions before 1.18.5 and 1.19.3 of MIT Kerberos 5 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a FAST inner body without a server field, leading to the NULL pointer dereference.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-37750.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update MIT Kerberos 5 to version 1.18.5 or 1.19.3 to address the NULL pointer dereference.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity targeting the KDC.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch MIT Kerberos 5 to the latest versions.
- Conduct security training for personnel to recognize and respond to potential security threats.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates and advisories pertaining to MIT Kerberos 5 to apply patches promptly.