CVE-2021-45098 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in Suricata before 6.0.4 allowing evasion of HTTP-based signatures by manipulating TCP packets and sending forbidden URL requests.

Understanding CVE-2021-45098

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Suricata that enables an attacker to circumvent HTTP-based signatures.

What is CVE-2021-45098?

The vulnerability in Suricata before version 6.0.4 permits an adversary to bypass HTTP-based signatures by falsifying TCP packets, injecting deceptive TCP options, and forwarding forbidden URL requests.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45098

The CVE allows malicious actors to avoid detection by Suricata's signature-based monitoring, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data exfiltration.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45098

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2021-45098.

Vulnerability Description

Suricata versions prior to 6.0.4 are susceptible to evasion techniques where attackers can fake TCP packets, insert random TCP options, and issue HTTP GET requests with prohibited URLs.

Affected Systems and Versions

Suricata versions before 6.0.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves manipulating TCP packets, injecting false TCP options during the three-way handshake, and sending HTTP requests with forbidden URLs.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to address CVE-2021-45098 is crucial for securing systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Suricata to version 6.0.4 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity
Employ Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to enhance threat detection

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to fix known vulnerabilities
Conduct security training for personnel to increase awareness of evolving threats

Patching and Updates

Ensure regular software updates and security patches to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-45098.