CVE-2021-21440 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2021-21440 article provides insights into a security vulnerability found in OTRS software that results in exposing private S/MIME and PGP keys in generated support bundles, impacting OTRS Community Edition and OTRS versions 7.0.x and 8.0.x.

Understanding CVE-2021-21440

This section delves into the details of CVE-2021-21440.

What is CVE-2021-21440?

The vulnerability in OTRS software allows support bundles to include private S/MIME and PGP keys when the containing folder is not hidden.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21440

The exposure of private keys poses a risk to confidentiality, impacting OTRS Community Edition 6.0.x, OTRS 7.0.x, and OTRS 8.0.x versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21440

This section explores the technical aspects of CVE-2021-21440.

Vulnerability Description

The issue affects OTRS software versions, enabling generated support bundles to contain sensitive encryption keys.

Affected Systems and Versions

OTRS AG ((OTRS)) Community Edition 6.0.1 and later, OTRS 7.0.27, and prior versions, as well as OTRS 8.0.14 and earlier versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to obtain access to private S/MIME and PGP keys, potentially compromising sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers recommendations to mitigate the CVE-2021-21440 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their OTRS installations to version 8.0.15 or 7.0.28 to address the security flaw.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement security best practices such as regularly updating software, securing sensitive files, and monitoring for potential breaches.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from OTRS and apply patches promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities.