CVE-2021-38265 : What You Need to Know

A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Asset module in Liferay Portal versions 7.3.4 through 7.3.6 has been identified, allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML. Here's what you need to know about CVE-2021-38265.

Understanding CVE-2021-38265

This section will cover the basics of the CVE-2021-38265 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2021-38265?

The CVE-2021-38265 vulnerability is a Cross-site scripting (XSS) security flaw found in the Asset module of Liferay Portal versions 7.3.4 through 7.3.6. This flaw enables malicious actors to insert and execute malicious scripts or HTML code on vulnerable web pages.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38265

The impact of CVE-2021-38265 is significant as it allows remote attackers to perform various attacks, such as stealing sensitive information, session hijacking, defacing websites, and distributing malware, by injecting malicious scripts or HTML code.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38265

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-38265 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, affected versions, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in the Asset module in Liferay Portal versions 7.3.4 through 7.3.6 enables threat actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML by manipulating the _com_liferay_asset_list_web_portlet_AssetListPortlet_title parameter when creating a collection page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liferay Portal versions 7.3.4 through 7.3.6 are affected by CVE-2021-38265. Users operating these versions are at risk of exploitation if proper remediation steps are not taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the CVE-2021-38265 vulnerability by crafting malicious scripts or HTML code and injecting them into collection pages through the vulnerable parameter, thereby executing unauthorized actions on the targeted web pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems and data from the CVE-2021-38265 vulnerability, immediate mitigation steps and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately apply security patches provided by Liferay for versions 7.3.4 through 7.3.6 to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, validate and sanitize user input to prevent script injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, educate developers and users about XSS risks, and engage in ongoing monitoring and threat intelligence to enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches released by Liferay for the Asset module in Liferay Portal to address any newly discovered vulnerabilities and ensure continued protection against potential exploits.