CVE-2021-21577 in iDRAC9
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2021
Dell EMC iDRAC9 versions prior to 4.40.40.00 contain a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability. A remote attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to run malicious HTML or JavaScript in a victim’s browser by tricking a victim in to following a specially crafted link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-21577 affects Dell EMC iDRAC9 remote management controllers running versions prior to 4.40.40.00, representing a significant security weakness that compromises the integrity of web-based administrative interfaces. This DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the web application layer of the iDRAC9 firmware, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate the Document Object Model to execute unauthorized scripts in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and sanitization within the iDRAC9 web interface, specifically when processing user-supplied parameters in the URL query string or other client-side data. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through crafted URLs that, when clicked by an authenticated user, executes within the victim's browser context. This DOM-based XSS variant is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely on the client-side without requiring server-side processing, making traditional server-side input sanitization ineffective against this specific attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive authentication tokens, and potentially gain unauthorized administrative access to the managed server. An attacker could craft malicious links that, when followed by an administrator, would execute scripts to capture session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify the web interface behavior to hide malicious activities. The remote nature of this exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system or network proximity, enabling widespread exploitation from any location with internet connectivity.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing via links. The attack vector represents a classic social engineering challenge where the effectiveness of exploitation depends on the victim's willingness to click on malicious links, making user education and awareness critical components of defense. Organizations utilizing Dell EMC iDRAC9 systems face potential compromise of their server management infrastructure, which could lead to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Dell EMC firmware updates to version 4.40.40.00 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent DOM-based XSS attacks. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of iDRAC9 interfaces to trusted networks only, while regular security monitoring and log analysis can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary web interfaces can reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.