CVE-2021-35517 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Apache Commons Compress 1.1 to 1.20 denial of service vulnerability allows attackers to trigger an out-of-memory error by exploiting a flaw in handling TAR archives.

Understanding CVE-2021-35517

This CVE discloses a security vulnerability in Apache Commons Compress versions 1.1 to 1.20, impacting services using Compress tar packages.

What is CVE-2021-35517?

By manipulating a specially crafted TAR archive, attackers can force Compress to consume excessive memory, leading to out-of-memory errors, even with small inputs. This flaw enables denial-of-service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2021-35517

The vulnerability can be exploited to exhaust system resources, causing affected services to become unresponsive. Attackers could launch DoS attacks to disrupt operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-35517

The vulnerability lies in Apache Commons Compress, affecting versions 1.1 to 1.20. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious TAR archives to trigger memory allocation issues.

Vulnerability Description

When processing a manipulated TAR archive, Apache Commons Compress may allocate excessive memory, leading to out-of-memory errors, facilitating DoS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions between Apache Commons Compress 1.1 and 1.20 are vulnerable to this denial of service flaw, impacting systems that use Compress' tar package.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by feeding specially crafted TAR archives to trigger abnormal memory allocation behavior, resulting in out-of-memory errors.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-35517, users of Apache Commons Compress should upgrade to version 1.21 or later to mitigate the denial-of-service risk.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apache Commons Compress to version 1.21 or above to prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and promptly apply updates to ensure your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep track of security patches and apply updates promptly to protect your systems from emerging security threats.