CVE-2021-42086 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Zammad before 4.1.1. An Agent account can modify account data, and gain admin access, via a crafted request.

Understanding CVE-2021-42086

This CVE ID pertains to a vulnerability in Zammad that allows an Agent account to manipulate account data and acquire admin privileges through a specifically designed request.

What is CVE-2021-42086?

The vulnerability in Zammad before version 4.1.1 enables unauthorized escalation of privileges for an Agent account, leading to potentially severe security breaches.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42086

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential compromise of the system's integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42086

This section outlines detailed technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability enables an Agent account to modify account data and gain admin access via a manipulated request.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Zammad
Vulnerable Versions: Before 4.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The flaw allows an Agent account to exploit the system through a specially crafted request, leading to unauthorized elevation of privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems with the following actions:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Zammad to version 4.1.1 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor account activities for any suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce the principle of least privilege to limit accounts to necessary actions.
Regularly review and update access controls to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates to maintain a secure environment.