CVE-2021-42326 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Redmine before 4.1.5 and 4.2.x before 4.2.3 may disclose the names of users on activity views due to an insufficient access filter.

Understanding CVE-2021-42326

What is CVE-2021-42326?

CVE-2021-42326 is a vulnerability in Redmine versions prior to 4.1.5 and 4.2.x before 4.2.3 that could potentially reveal user names on activity views because of inadequate access filtering.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42326

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user information, compromising user privacy and potentially enabling malicious actors to gather data about users within Redmine instances.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42326

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a lack of proper access control mechanisms in affected Redmine versions, allowing unauthorized users to view user names on activity pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

Redmine versions before 4.1.5
Redmine 4.2.x versions prior to 4.2.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Hackers can exploit this vulnerability by accessing activity views within Redmine instances, where user names are inadequately protected, potentially revealing sensitive user data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Redmine to version 4.1.5 or 4.2.3, where the vulnerability is remedied.
Restrict access to activity views to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update access control policies within Redmine.
Educate users on the importance of protecting sensitive information to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Redmine to address known vulnerabilities.