CVE-2021-43201 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In JetBrains TeamCity before 2021.1.3, a newly created project could take settings from an already deleted project.

Understanding CVE-2021-43201

In JetBrains TeamCity before version 2021.1.3, a vulnerability allowed a newly created project to inherit settings from a deleted project.

What is CVE-2021-43201?

The CVE-2021-43201 vulnerability in JetBrains TeamCity prior to 2021.1.3 enabled a newly created project to absorb configurations from a previously deleted project, potentially leading to unintended consequences and security risks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43201

This vulnerability could result in misconfiguration and security breaches as settings from a deleted project could be erroneously applied to a new project, compromising the integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43201

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in JetBrains TeamCity allowed a new project to inherit settings from a deleted project, posing a risk of misconfiguration and potential security vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: JetBrains TeamCity
Versions: Before 2021.1.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involved creating a new project in JetBrains TeamCity, which inadvertently obtained configurations from a previously deleted project.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-43201, immediate steps should be taken to prevent unauthorized access and maintain system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update JetBrains TeamCity to version 2021.1.3 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly review and delete unused projects to avoid inheritance of settings.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper access controls and user permissions to limit the impact of misconfigurations.
Educate users about the importance of project management and configuration hygiene.
Monitor projects for unusual settings or behavior that could indicate unauthorized configurations.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software and systems are regularly updated to the latest versions with security patches to address known vulnerabilities.