CVE-2021-33359 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-33359, a vulnerability found in gowitness < 2.3.6 that allows unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary file reads through the file:// scheme in the URL parameter.

Understanding CVE-2021-33359

This section outlines the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2021-33359?

The vulnerability in gowitness < 2.3.6 enables unauthenticated attackers to carry out arbitrary file reads by exploiting the file:// scheme in the URL parameter to access images of any file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33359

The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows unauthorized users to retrieve sensitive files without proper authentication.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33359

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in gowitness < 2.3.6 lets attackers leverage the file:// scheme in the URL parameter to perform unauthorized file reads.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions prior to 2.3.6 of gowitness are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this CVE by inserting the file:// scheme in the URL parameter to retrieve images of any file.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here, we discuss steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-33359.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update gowitness to version 2.3.6 or newer to eliminate this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper input validation mechanisms and access controls to enhance system security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update software and apply patches released by the vendor to address security issues effectively.