CVE-2021-36778 : Security Advisory and Response

A Incorrect Authorization vulnerability in SUSE Rancher allows administrators of third-party repositories to gather credentials that are sent to their servers. This issue affects SUSE Rancher Rancher versions prior to 2.5.12 and Rancher versions prior to 2.6.3.

Understanding CVE-2021-36778

This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2021-36778, involves the exposure of repository credentials to external third-party sources in SUSE Rancher.

What is CVE-2021-36778?

CVE-2021-36778 is an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability in SUSE Rancher that enables administrators of third-party repositories to collect credentials sent to their servers.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36778

The impact of this vulnerability is considered high with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.3. It can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36778

In this section, we delve into the specifics of the CVE-2021-36778 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows third-party repository administrators to intercept and access credentials transmitted to their servers, potentially exposing sensitive information to unauthorized parties.

Affected Systems and Versions

SUSE Rancher versions prior to 2.5.12 and 2.6.3 are affected by CVE-2021-36778. Users of these versions are at risk of having their repository credentials exposed.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious third-party repository administrators who intercept the communication between SUSE Rancher instances and their servers, leading to credential exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-36778, users and administrators should take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade SUSE Rancher to versions 2.5.12 or later, or 2.6.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any unusual activities that could indicate unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure communication protocols to safeguard credentials and sensitive data.
Regularly update and patch SUSE Rancher to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates released by SUSE for Rancher to address vulnerabilities and enhance system security.