CVE-2021-41110 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-41110, a critical vulnerability in CWL Viewer allowing untrusted data deserialization. Find out how to mitigate the risk and prevent complete system takeovers.
CWL Viewer: deserialization of untrusted data can lead to complete takeover by an attacker
Understanding CVE-2021-41110
What is CVE-2021-41110?
CWL Viewer is a web application used to view and share Common Workflow Language workflows. Versions prior to 1.3.1 contain a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability, allowing attackers to potentially execute malicious code.
The Impact of CVE-2021-41110
This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.1, making it critical. It poses a high risk to the integrity and availability of affected systems, as it allows for complete takeover by attackers without requiring any privileges.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-41110
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in CWL Viewer stems from allowing any data to be parsed by default in the SnakeYaml constructor, which can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: cwlviewer
- Vendor: common-workflow-language
- Vulnerable Versions: < 1.3.1
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit the vulnerability, attackers can craft malicious input that allows them to execute arbitrary code within the application environment.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Users should update CWL Viewer to version 1.3.1 or higher, which contains the necessary patch to address this vulnerability.
- Install security updates promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor for security advisories and apply patches promptly.
- Employ secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all software components, including dependencies, are kept up to date to address known vulnerabilities promptly.