CVE-2021-21724 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A memory leak vulnerability has been identified in a ZTE product, impacting ZXR10 8900E devices up to version V3.03.20R2B30P1. This loophole allows a local attacker with device permissions to cause abnormal service disruption by repeatedly attenuating the optical signal.

Understanding CVE-2021-21724

This CVE-2021-21724 relates to a memory leak vulnerability in the ZXR10 8900E product from ZTE, which may be exploited by a local attacker.

What is CVE-2021-21724?

CVE-2021-21724 is a vulnerability found in ZTE's ZXR10 8900E product, allowing a local attacker to cause memory leaks and abnormal service events.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21724

The vulnerability could lead to service disruptions and potentially harmful memory leaks on affected ZXR10 8900E devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21724

The following provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is due to the ZXR10 8900E's improper handling of memory release, making it susceptible to memory leaks by manipulating the optical signal.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of the ZXR10 8900E up to V3.03.20R2B30P1 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

A local attacker with device permissions can exploit this vulnerability by repetitively attenuating the optical signal, leading to memory leaks and abnormal service disruptions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-21724, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected ZTE ZXR10 8900E devices to version V3.03.20R2B30P1 or apply patches provided by the vendor.
Restrict network access to trusted entities to minimize the risk of local exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for any abnormal service behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.
Implement strong access control mechanisms to limit unauthorized access to devices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by ZTE for the ZXR10 8900E to safeguard against known vulnerabilities and ensure system integrity.