CVE-2021-38159 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Progress MOVEit Transfer versions before 2021.0.4 are vulnerable to SQL injection, allowing remote attackers to access the database. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-38159

This CVE refers to a SQL injection vulnerability in certain Progress MOVEit Transfer versions before 2021.0.4, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the database by remote attackers.

What is CVE-2021-38159?

In certain versions of Progress MOVEit Transfer before 2021.0.4, a SQL injection vulnerability exists in the web application. This flaw could be exploited by an unauthenticated remote attacker to gain access to the database and execute malicious SQL statements.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38159

The vulnerability could allow attackers to infer information about the database structure and contents, as well as execute SQL statements that modify or delete database elements. Different database engines like MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, or Azure SQL are affected by this issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38159

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to access the database through crafted strings sent to unique MOVEit Transfer transaction types.

Vulnerability Description

The SQL injection vulnerability in Progress MOVEit Transfer versions before 2021.0.4 enables attackers to manipulate SQL queries to gain unauthorized access to the database.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions impacted include 2019.0.8 (11.0.8), 2019.1.7 (11.1.7), 2019.2.4 (11.2.4), 2020.0.7 (12.0.7), 2020.1.6 (12.1.6), and 2021.0.4 (13.0.4) of Progress MOVEit Transfer.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send crafted strings to specific MOVEit Transfer transaction types to exploit the SQL injection vulnerability and gain unauthorized access to the database.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-38159, immediate steps should be taken to secure systems and data.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the fixed versions of Progress MOVEit Transfer: 2019.0.8, 2019.1.7, 2019.2.4, 2020.0.7, 2020.1.6, or 2021.0.4.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual database activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly apply security patches and updates to all software components.
Conduct security testing, including SQL injection testing, to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Progress and apply patches promptly to ensure the security of the MOVEit Transfer application.