CVE-2021-21875 in PremierWave
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2021
A specially-crafted HTTP request can lead to arbitrary command execution in EC keypasswd parameter. An attacker can make an authenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2021
This vulnerability exists in a web application that processes HTTP requests containing EC keypasswd parameters, representing a critical security flaw that allows for arbitrary command execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the keypasswd parameter, which is typically used to handle elliptic curve cryptography key management operations. When an authenticated user submits a malicious HTTP request containing specially crafted payloads in the keypasswd field, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input before processing it within a command execution context. This design flaw creates a path for command injection attacks where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has obtained valid credentials can exploit this weakness without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors. The issue aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is executed as commands. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the authenticated access to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. Organizations running applications with this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The authentication requirement does not mitigate the severity of this flaw, as compromised accounts represent a common attack surface that can be exploited through various means including credential theft, social engineering, or brute force attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires understanding how the application processes the keypasswd parameter and where the command execution occurs. Typically, applications handling cryptographic operations may use system commands or shell invocations to process key management tasks, making them susceptible to injection attacks when proper input sanitization is absent. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application assumes all input from authenticated users is safe, failing to implement proper parameter validation or escaping mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic example of insecure deserialization or command injection vulnerability that can be exploited through various payload formats including shell metacharacters, command chaining, or environment variable manipulation. The security implications are compounded by the fact that this vulnerability can be triggered through standard HTTP protocols, making it accessible to attackers who may not possess advanced technical skills. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, parameter sanitization, and command execution restrictions to prevent this type of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most critical immediate action involves patching the application to properly validate and sanitize all input parameters, particularly those related to cryptographic operations. Organizations should implement strict input validation that rejects or escapes special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands, including semicolons, pipes, ampersands, and other metacharacters. The application should enforce proper parameter validation using allowlists rather than denylists, ensuring that only expected and safe input formats are accepted. Additionally, implementing proper authentication controls, session management, and access controls can help limit the potential impact of this vulnerability. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that applications run with minimal required permissions and that command execution capabilities are restricted. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP requests containing potentially malicious payloads. Regular security testing including penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should also include proper logging and monitoring of cryptographic operations to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Implementation of these security measures aligns with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure application development and vulnerability management.