CVE-2021-3536 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw was found in Wildfly in versions before 23.0.2.Final that allows for XSS due to a vulnerability when creating a new role in domain mode via the admin console. This has implications for both Confidentiality and Integrity.

Understanding CVE-2021-3536

This CVE highlights a security issue in Wildfly versions prior to 23.0.2.Final, where an attacker can insert a payload in the name field while creating a new role through the admin console, leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2021-3536?

CVE-2021-3536 is a vulnerability in Wildfly's administrative console, allowing threat actors to inject malicious code through the name field when creating a new role, compromising data confidentiality and integrity.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3536

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can be exploited by malicious users to execute XSS attacks, potentially leading to sensitive data exposure and manipulation within the affected Wildfly systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3536

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, outlining affected systems, the exploitation mechanism, and more.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in versions before 23.0.2.Final enables attackers to embed payloads in the name field while creating new roles, allowing for XSS attacks that compromise system security and user data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wildfly versions earlier than 23.0.2.Final are impacted by CVE-2021-3536. Users operating on these versions are at risk of XSS exploitation through the admin console's role creation functionality.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the name field during the creation of a new role in domain mode via the admin console, threat actors can inject malicious payloads to trigger XSS vulnerabilities, undermining system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover how to address and safeguard your systems against CVE-2021-3536's security risks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Wildfly installations to version 23.0.2.Final or later to mitigate the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented to sanitize user-generated content.

Long-Term Security Practices

Practicing secure coding techniques and regularly monitoring for security updates and patches can bolster overall defenses against XSS and similar vulnerabilities in Wildfly.

Patching and Updates

Stay abreast of Wildfly security advisories and promptly apply patches and updates released by the vendor to fortify your systems against known vulnerabilities.