CVE-2021-41584 in Gradle
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2021
Gradle Enterprise before 2021.1.3 can allow unauthorized viewing of a response (information disclosure of possibly sensitive build/configuration details) via a crafted HTTP request with the X-Gradle-Enterprise-Ajax-Request header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41584 affects Gradle Enterprise versions prior to 2021.1.3, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that enables unauthorized access to sensitive build and configuration details through manipulated HTTP requests. This vulnerability specifically leverages the X-Gradle-Enterprise-Ajax-Request header to bypass authentication mechanisms and expose internal system information that should remain restricted to authorized users. The flaw falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-285, where the system fails to properly verify that the requesting entity has sufficient authorization to access the requested resource.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Gradle Enterprise processes HTTP requests containing the X-Gradle-Enterprise-Ajax-Request header. When this header is present in a crafted request, the system incorrectly processes the request without proper authentication verification, allowing attackers to retrieve potentially sensitive build metadata, configuration parameters, and other system information that would normally be restricted. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where build systems contain proprietary code, infrastructure details, and security configurations that could be leveraged by malicious actors for further exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and access control enforcement, allowing an attacker to manipulate the request processing flow to gain unauthorized information access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with valuable insights into the organization's build infrastructure, dependency management systems, and potentially sensitive configuration data. Attackers could use the leaked information to identify system vulnerabilities, understand deployment patterns, or craft more sophisticated attacks against the build environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Gather Victim Host Information) as it enables unauthorized discovery of system information through manipulation of HTTP request headers. The exposure of build details could also reveal information about third-party dependencies, internal network configurations, and development practices that might be exploited in subsequent attacks.
Organizations utilizing Gradle Enterprise should immediately apply the patch released in version 2021.1.3 to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper header validation and ensuring that all requests containing the X-Gradle-Enterprise-Ajax-Request header undergo strict authentication verification before processing. Security teams should also review their access control policies and implement network segmentation to limit exposure of build infrastructure. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual request patterns containing this specific header and implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough input validation and proper access control implementation in enterprise software systems, particularly those handling sensitive development and build information.