CVE-2021-29487 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A critical vulnerability with a high severity level has been discovered in October CMS platform which allows attackers to bypass authentication and take over user accounts. This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-29487 and its implications.

Understanding CVE-2021-29487

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-29487 vulnerability in October CMS.

What is CVE-2021-29487?

October CMS, based on the Laravel PHP Framework, is affected by an authentication bypass vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this flaw in certain versions of the october/system package to compromise user accounts. The issue can be triggered by unauthenticated users through a specially crafted request, impacting frontend users. However, the attacker needs to acquire a Laravel secret key for cookie encryption and signing to successfully exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability has been addressed in Build 472 and v1.1.5.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29487

With a CVSS base score of 7.4 (High severity), this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The attack complexity is high, and it can be exploited over the network. The confidentiality and integrity of affected systems are at high risk. No special privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary to carry out an attack. The availability impact is assessed as none.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29487

This section elaborates on the technical aspects of CVE-2021-29487.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper authentication mechanisms in the october/system package, enabling unauthorized access to user accounts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts October CMS versions >= 1.0.471 and < 1.0.472, along with versions >= 1.1.1 and < 1.1.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted request, bypassing authentication and seizing control of user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section offers guidance on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2021-29487.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their October CMS installations to Build 472 or version 1.1.5 to address this vulnerability immediately.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance security posture, users should follow security best practices, such as regular security audits, monitoring, and access control.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by the October CMS platform to protect against known vulnerabilities.