CVE-2021-36281 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x - 9.2.x have been identified with an incorrect permission assignment vulnerability, allowing a low-privileged authenticated user to potentially escalate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-36281

This section will provide insights into the impact and technical details of CVE-2021-36281.

What is CVE-2021-36281?

The vulnerability in Dell's PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x - 9.2.x allows low-privileged users to exploit incorrect permission assignments, enabling privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36281

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 7.5. Attackers could leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36281

Below are the technical specifics of CVE-2021-36281, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation details.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to flaws in permission settings in PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x - 9.2.x, enabling unauthorized privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Dell's PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x - 9.2.x are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing them to potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated low-privileged user can exploit the incorrect permission assignment in PowerScale OneFS to gain unauthorized access and escalate privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems against CVE-2021-36281, immediate steps should be taken, and long-term security practices should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should restrict access, monitor privileged accounts, and apply vendor-supplied patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege principles, conduct regular security assessments, and stay updated on security advisories to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Deploy security patches provided by Dell for PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.x - 9.2.x to remediate the vulnerability and protect against potential attacks.