CVE-2021-22568 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the Dart SDK could allow an attacker to impersonate a user on pub.dev by exploiting OAuth2 access token credentials during package publishing.

Understanding CVE-2021-22568

This CVE affects the Dart SDK versions prior to 2.15.0, allowing unauthorized access to pub.dev credentials, posing a high severity threat.

What is CVE-2021-22568?

The issue arises when using 'dart pub publish' command, authenticating with valid OAuth2 access tokens to publish packages on third-party servers, leading to credential exposure on pub.dev.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22568

With a CVSS base score of 8.8 (High), this vulnerability requires no privileges and user interaction, potentially compromising user integrity and confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22568

This section provides deeper insights into the vulnerability for better understanding and awareness.

Vulnerability Description

Attacker can misuse OAuth2 access tokens to impersonate users on pub.dev during package publishing, affecting security and authenticity.

Affected Systems and Versions

Dart SDK versions below 2.15.0 are vulnerable to this exploit, emphasizing the urgency of upgrading to secure versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging OAuth2 access tokens meant for package publishing, threat actors can gain unauthorized access to pub.dev user accounts, facilitating impersonation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems and data integrity, immediate and proactive actions are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Dart SDK past version 2.15.0 or implement the fix detailed in the provided GitHub commit to mitigate impersonation risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enhance credential management practices, conduct regular security audits, and educate users on secure package publishing procedures.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor and apply security patches and updates provided by Google LLC to prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability.