CVE-2021-21863 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2021-21863 involves an unsafe deserialization vulnerability in the ComponentModel Profile.FromFile() function of CODESYS GmbH CODESYS Development System 3.5.16 and 3.5.17, allowing for arbitrary command execution by a specially crafted file. Learn more about this security issue and how it impacts systems.

Understanding CVE-2021-21863

CODESYS GmbH CODESYS Development System 3.5.16 and 3.5.17 are affected by a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability, which can be triggered by a malicious file, potentially leading to significant security risks.

What is CVE-2021-21863?

A dangerous deserialization flaw exists in the ComponentModel Profile.FromFile() function of CODESYS Development System versions 3.5.16 and 3.5.17. Attackers can exploit this issue by providing a crafted file to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21863

With a CVSS base score of 8.8 (High Severity), this vulnerability poses a significant threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack complexity is low, but the impact on the system's security is high.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21863

Here are the technical specifics of CVE-2021-21863:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an unsafe deserialization issue in CODESYS Development System, allowing threat actors to execute arbitrary commands via a specially crafted file.

Affected Systems and Versions

CODESYS GmbH CODESYS Development System versions 3.5.16 and 3.5.17 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing systems with these versions to potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a malicious file to the affected system, triggering the deserialization vulnerability and executing arbitrary commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2021-21863 requires immediate action and long-term security measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest patched versions of CODESYS Development System to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to restrict unauthorized access and prevent malicious file execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly check for security updates and patches from CODESYS to address known vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators on safe file handling practices and security best practices to prevent exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by CODESYS promptly to fix the deserialization vulnerability and protect your systems from potential attacks.