CVE-2021-38557 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

RaspAP 2.6.6's raspap-webgui allows attackers to execute commands as root due to insecure sudoers permissions. This leads to potential privilege escalation attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-38557

This CVE highlights a security vulnerability in the RaspAP 2.6.6 version where the www-data account can execute specific commands as root without proper authentication.

What is CVE-2021-38557?

CVE-2021-38557 pertains to a flaw in RaspAP 2.6.6 that enables unauthorized users to run commands as root via raspap-webgui, exploiting weak sudoers configurations.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38557

The impact is severe as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain root privileges on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38557

The technical details include the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows the www-data account in RaspAP 2.6.6 to execute /etc/raspap/hostapd/enablelog.sh as root without authentication, enabling malicious actors to overwrite said file with executable content.

Affected Systems and Versions

RaspAP 2.6.6 is the specific version affected by this CVE, potentially impacting systems that have not applied relevant patches.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation involves the unauthorized execution of root commands via the insecure sudoers permissions, granting unauthorized access to critical system functions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-38557, immediate steps must be taken to secure systems and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update RaspAP to a patched version that addresses the sudoers configuration vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity indicating unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict account capabilities.
Regularly audit and update sudoers configurations to maintain secure access controls.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from RaspAP and apply patches promptly to mitigate the risk of privilege escalation attacks.