CVE-2021-41805 : What You Need to Know

HashiCorp Consul Enterprise before 1.8.17, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.4 has a vulnerability that allows unintended privilege escalation through Incorrect Access Control.

Understanding CVE-2021-41805

HashiCorp Consul Enterprise versions prior to the specified ones are impacted by an Incorrect Access Control issue leading to potential privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2021-41805?

The vulnerability in HashiCorp Consul Enterprise could enable an ACL token in one namespace to be misused for unintended privilege escalation in another namespace.

The Impact of CVE-2021-41805

The security flaw allows users with a default operator:write permissions ACL token to escalate privileges within separate namespaces, opening opportunities for unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-41805

The technical aspects of the CVE-2021-41805 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

HashiCorp Consul Enterprise before specified versions exhibits Incorrect Access Control.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected versions: HashiCorp Consul Enterprise before 1.8.17, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.4.

Exploitation Mechanism

An ACL token with default operator:write permissions in one namespace can lead to privilege escalation in a different namespace.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address the CVE-2021-41805 vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade HashiCorp Consul Enterprise to version 1.8.17, 1.9.11, or 1.10.4 to mitigate the issue.
Monitor and audit ACL token usage to detect any unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict access based on job roles.
Regularly review and update access control policies to align with security best practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates from HashiCorp and apply them promptly.