CVE-2021-3551 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw was discovered in the PKI-server, potentially allowing a local attacker to gain admin privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-3551

This CVE, assigned CVE-2021-3551, relates to a vulnerability found in the PKI-server.

What is CVE-2021-3551?

CVE-2021-3551 is a security flaw in the PKI-server, specifically in the spkispawn command when run in debug mode. This flaw enables a local attacker to access admin credentials stored in the installation log file, resulting in potential unauthorized access to the Dogtag CA manager.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3551

The primary risk associated with CVE-2021-3551 is to confidentiality as it allows attackers to retrieve admin passwords and gain admin privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3551

Below are the technical details of the CVE:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the PKI-server allows a local attacker to retrieve admin credentials stored in the installation log file, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is 'pki-server' with the vulnerable version 'pki-core 10.10.6'.

Exploitation Mechanism

By running the spkispawn command in debug mode, the attacker can exploit this vulnerability to obtain admin credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-3551:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable debug mode for the spkispawn command.
Monitor access to installation log files for suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the PKI-server to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement strict access control mechanisms to limit unauthorized access to sensitive files.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches and updates provided by the vendor to secure the PKI-server and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.