CVE-2021-39197 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

better_errors is an open-source tool that enhances error pages in Rails applications. However, versions prior to 2.8.0 were vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks due to missing CSRF protection and incorrect header enforcement. This CVE highlights the importance of updating to version 2.8.0 or higher to mitigate these security risks.

Understanding CVE-2021-39197

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of the CVE.

What is CVE-2021-39197?

CVE-2021-39197 refers to a vulnerability in better_errors versions below 2.8.0 that allowed for CSRF attacks, putting applications at risk of unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39197

The vulnerability had a CVSS base score of 6.3, classifying it as a medium-severity issue. It could lead to high confidentiality impact and left applications open to cross-origin attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39197

Explore the specifics of the vulnerability to understand its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The lack of CSRF protection and incorrect header enforcement in better_errors prior to 2.8.0 enabled cross-origin attacks, compromising application security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: better_errors
Vendor: BetterErrors
Versions Affected: < 2.8.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: Network Attack Complexity: High Privileges Required: Low User Interaction: None Scope: Changed

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn about the steps to prevent and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to better_errors version 2.8.0 or later.
Limit better_errors to the

development

bundle group.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update dependencies to address security vulnerabilities.
Follow secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you frequently check for updates and apply patches promptly to maintain a secure environment.