CVE-2021-21529 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article discusses CVE-2021-21529, a denial of service vulnerability found in DellEMC System Update (DSU) versions prior to 1.9.1.

Understanding CVE-2021-21529

This section provides insights into the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2021-21529?

The CVE-2021-21529 vulnerability resides in Dell System Update (DSU) versions 1.9 and earlier. It allows a local authenticated attacker with low privileges to exploit the flaw, leading to a denial of service condition by causing the system to exhaust memory resources.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21529

The impact of this vulnerability is rated low, with a CVSS base score of 3.8. It has the potential to disrupt system availability by triggering multiple instances of the vulnerable application, leading to memory exhaustion.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21529

In this section, we delve into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-21529.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is categorized as uncontrolled resource consumption (CWE-400). An attacker can exploit it by running multiple instances of the vulnerable application, causing a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

DellEMC System Update (DSU) versions prior to 1.9.1 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

A local authenticated attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to exhaust the system's memory resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers the recommended steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-21529 vulnerability and enhance overall system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update DellEMC System Update (DSU) to version 1.9.1 or later to address this vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to the vulnerable application can help minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, regular security updates, and monitoring system performance for unusual behavior can enhance long-term security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Dell and apply patches promptly to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed.