CVE-2021-42650 : What You Need to Know

A Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Portainer before 2.9.1 allows attackers to inject malicious scripts via the node input box in Custom Templates.

Understanding CVE-2021-42650

This CVE discloses a security vulnerability in Portainer that affects the integrity of user input within Custom Templates.

What is CVE-2021-42650?

CVE-2021-42650 is a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability found in Portainer versions prior to 2.9.1. It enables threat actors to execute malicious scripts by injecting them into the node input box present in Custom Templates.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42650

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42650

This section dives deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The XSS vulnerability in Portainer before 2.9.1 allows attackers to insert malicious scripts into the node input box of Custom Templates, posing a serious security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Portainer versions prior to 2.9.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting crafted scripts into the node input box in Custom Templates, leading to XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems against CVE-2021-42650 with the following strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Portainer to version 2.9.1 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly review and sanitize user inputs to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) to reduce the impact of XSS vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to thwart cross-site scripting attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by Portainer and promptly apply them to keep your systems secure.