CVE-2021-38146 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Wipro Holmes Orchestrator 20.4.1 is affected by CVE-2021-38146, allowing remote attackers to read arbitrary files through absolute path traversal in the SearchString JSON field in /home/download POST data.

Understanding CVE-2021-38146

This section delves into the details of the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and how to mitigate the risk.

What is CVE-2021-38146?

The File Download API in Wipro Holmes Orchestrator 20.4.1 exposes a security flaw that enables malicious actors to access sensitive files by exploiting absolute path traversal in specific POST data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38146

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows remote attackers to retrieve arbitrary files from the system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information and data leakage.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38146

Explore the specific technical information related to the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The issue resides in how the File Download API handles the SearchString JSON field, permitting attackers to manipulate file paths and retrieve unauthorized data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wipro Holmes Orchestrator 20.4.1 is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, exposing systems with this version to the risk of file path traversal attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this security flaw by sending crafted POST requests with manipulated file paths, enabling them to retrieve files stored on the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to address and prevent the CVE-2021-38146 vulnerability to enhance the security of the affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to apply security patches and updates provided by Wipro promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, monitoring and restricting access to sensitive files can help prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict input validation mechanisms, enforcing least privilege access controls, and conducting regular security assessments can bolster the long-term security posture of the system.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories from Wipro and apply patches as soon as they are released to ensure that the system is protected from known vulnerabilities.