CVE-2021-45046 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2021-45046 relates to vulnerabilities in Apache Log4j2 that can result in denial of service attacks and code execution. The issue affects versions of Apache Log4j below 2.16.0.

Understanding CVE-2021-45046

Apache Log4j 2.15.0 fix for CVE-2021-44228 was incomplete in specific configurations, allowing attackers to exploit Thread Context Map data, leading to various code execution scenarios.

What is CVE-2021-45046?

The vulnerability in Apache Log4j2 permits attackers to manipulate input data, potentially causing information leaks and remote or local code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45046

The vulnerability poses a moderate threat (CVSS: 3.7) by enabling attackers to execute code, leak information, and perform denial of service attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45046

Apache Log4j2 vulnerability details, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The incomplete fix in Apache Log4j 2.15.0 allows malicious actors to craft input data and execute code, leading to security breaches.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Log4j
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Vulnerable Versions: Apache Log4j2 version less than 2.16.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit Thread Context Map input data, leveraging non-default configurations in logging patterns to execute code maliciously.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2021-45046 vulnerability in Apache Log4j2, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to Apache Log4j 2.16.0 or newer versions
Review and adjust logging configurations to avoid vulnerable patterns

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories for Apache Log4j
Implement secure coding practices to mitigate injection vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Apache Software Foundation to address the vulnerability promptly