CVE-2021-3816 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an in-depth analysis of CVE-2021-3816, a vulnerability found in Cacti 1.1.38 that enables authenticated users to inject arbitrary HTML. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for this CVE.

Understanding CVE-2021-3816

CVE-2021-3816 is a security vulnerability discovered in Cacti version 1.1.38 that allows authenticated users with User Management permissions to inject arbitrary HTML during the creation of a new group via the 'Copy' method at user_group_admin.php.

What is CVE-2021-3816?

CVE-2021-3816 involves a flaw in Cacti 1.1.38 that permits authenticated users to insert malicious HTML code in the group_prefix field while creating a new group using the 'Copy' method in user_group_admin.php.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3816

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious users to execute cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks within the Cacti application, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and other security compromises.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3816

In this section, we delve into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-3816 to help users understand the nature of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cacti 1.1.38 allows authenticated users to insert arbitrary HTML in the group_prefix field, posing a risk of XSS attacks within the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected system: Cacti Affected version: 1.1.38

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated users with User Management permissions can exploit this vulnerability by inserting malicious HTML code in the group_prefix field while creating a new group using the 'Copy' method.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-3816, it is crucial to implement appropriate mitigation measures and adopt robust security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Cacti to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Restrict user permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user activities within the Cacti application.
Educate users on secure coding practices and the risks of code injection vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Cacti to address known vulnerabilities, including CVE-2021-3816.