CVE-2021-32800 : What You Need to Know

Nextcloud server is an open source, self-hosted personal cloud that was impacted by a vulnerability allowing attackers to bypass Two Factor Authentication. Upgrading to recommended versions is crucial to mitigate the risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-32800

This vulnerability in Nextcloud server allowed attackers to bypass Two Factor Authentication, compromising user accounts. It was assigned a CVSS base score of 8.1, indicating a high severity level.

What is CVE-2021-32800?

In affected versions of Nextcloud server, attackers could bypass Two Factor Authentication, granting unauthorized access to accounts with just password knowledge or WebAuthN trusted device access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32800

The impact of this vulnerability was significant, with a high CVSS severity score of 8.1. Attackers could exploit this issue to gain access to user accounts, compromising confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32800

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2021-32800.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allowed threat actors to bypass Two Factor Authentication in Nextcloud server, enabling unauthorized access to user accounts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nextcloud versions < 20.0.12, >= 21.0.0 and < 21.0.4, and >= 22.0.0 and < 22.1.0 were impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by leveraging knowledge of a user's password or having access to a WebAuthN trusted device to gain unauthorized entry into accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2021-32800, immediate actions should be taken to secure Nextcloud servers and prevent unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to upgrade Nextcloud servers to versions 20.0.12, 21.0.4, or 22.1.0 to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong authentication mechanisms and regularly updating security protocols can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates provided by Nextcloud is crucial to address vulnerabilities and protect against potential threats.