CVE-2021-3020 : What You Need to Know

An in-depth look at the ClusterLabs Hawk vulnerability (CVE-2021-3020) allowing unauthorized escalation to root access.

Understanding CVE-2021-3020

This vulnerability in ClusterLabs Hawk (HA Web Konsole) enables privilege escalation by executing unauthorized commands as root.

What is CVE-2021-3020?

ClusterLabs Hawk through version 2.3.0-15 contains a binary 'hawk_invoke' that permits the hacluster user to run specific commands as root, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3020

The hacluster user could exploit this vulnerability to access an unrestricted interactive shell unauthorized by the intended limitations, thereby escalating privileges to root.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3020

This section dives deeper into the vulnerability's technical aspects.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from the 'hawk_invoke' binary in ClusterLabs Hawk, allowing unauthorized execution of root-level commands beyond the program's defined constraints.

Affected Systems and Versions

All instances of ClusterLabs Hawk up to version 2.3.0-15 are vulnerable to this privilege escalation flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the 'hawk_invoke' binary, the hacluster user can bypass restrictions and launch unauthorized commands, leading to privilege escalation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-3020.

Immediate Steps to Take

Prompt actions to secure your system post-discovery of this vulnerability are vital. Consider restricting user permissions and monitoring system activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access, regular security audits, and user activity monitoring can enhance your system's security posture.

Patching and Updates

Update ClusterLabs Hawk to the latest secure version and apply patches promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.