CVE-2021-38944 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2021-38944 affecting IBM DataPower Gateway versions 10.0.2.0 to 10.0.3.0. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for this vulnerability.
A detailed analysis of CVE-2021-38944, a vulnerability impacting IBM DataPower Gateway versions.
Understanding CVE-2021-38944
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability and its implications.
What is CVE-2021-38944?
CVE-2021-38944 affects IBM DataPower Gateway versions 10.0.2.0 through 10.0.3.0, 10.0.1.0 through 10.0.1.5, and 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.18. It is characterized by HTTP header injection due to insufficient validation of HOST headers, enabling potential attacks such as cross-site scripting, cache poisoning, or session hijacking.
The Impact of CVE-2021-38944
The vulnerability poses a moderate risk with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 4.8 (Medium). Attack complexity is high, and exploitation does not require user interaction. Although confidentiality and integrity impacts are low, organizations should apply immediate mitigation strategies.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-38944
This section outlines the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in IBM DataPower Gateway arises from inadequate validation of HOST headers, allowing malicious actors to manipulate HTTP headers for nefarious purposes.
Affected Systems and Versions
IBM DataPower Gateway versions 10.0.2.0 through 10.0.3.0, 10.0.1.0 through 10.0.1.5, and 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.18 are susceptible to this security flaw.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting CVE-2021-38944 involves injecting malicious content into HTTP headers, potentially leading to various attacks on the targeted system.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section focuses on strategies to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-38944.
Immediate Steps to Take
Organizations should promptly apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring network traffic and implementing security controls can help thwart potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Establishing robust input validation mechanisms, conducting regular security assessments, and staying informed about security bulletins are crucial for enhancing long-term defense against similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly updating IBM DataPower Gateway to the latest secure versions is essential to mitigate the risk of HTTP header injection and ensure the overall security posture of the system.