CVE-2021-38269 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Gogo Shell module in Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies below.

Understanding CVE-2021-38269

This section provides insights into the nature and implications of the CVE-2021-38269 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-38269?

The CVE-2021-38269 is a Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Gogo Shell module in Liferay Portal 7.1.0 through 7.3.6 and 7.4.0, and Liferay DXP 7.1 before fix pack 23, 7.2 before fix pack 13, and 7.3 before fix pack 2. It enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML through the output of a Gogo Shell command.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38269

The exploit allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized actions, or defacement of web pages.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38269

Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-38269 vulnerability to better understand its workings.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to inadequate input validation in the Gogo Shell module, allowing malicious script injection through crafted outputs.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liferay Portal versions 7.1.0 through 7.3.6 and 7.4.0, as well as Liferay DXP versions 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 before the respective fix packs, are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers send specially crafted inputs to the Gogo Shell module, leveraging the XSS vulnerability to execute arbitrary scripts on affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to protect your systems from CVE-2021-38269 through immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches and updates provided by Liferay to address the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from Liferay to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct periodic security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate security gaps.
Educate users and administrators about secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay proactive in applying security patches and updates released by Liferay to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of your systems.