CVE-2021-3956 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A read-only authentication bypass vulnerability was reported in the Third Quarter 2021 release of Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC) firmware. Unauthorized users can gain read-only access to XCC devices configured in LDAP Authentication Only Mode.

Understanding CVE-2021-3956

This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-3956.

What is CVE-2021-3956?

The vulnerability affects XCC devices configured with LDAP Authentication Only Mode and using an LDAP server supporting unauthenticated bind, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3956

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated users read-only access to XCC devices, enabling the viewing of device configurations but preventing any modifications.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3956

Explore the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to an authentication bypass issue in XCC firmware's Third Quarter 2021 release.

Affected Systems and Versions

XCC devices using LDAP Authentication Only Mode and LDAP servers supporting unauthenticated bind in specific configurations are impacted.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit the LDAP Authentication Only Mode configuration to gain read-only access to XCC devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover immediate steps and long-term security practices to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2021-3956.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update XCC firmware to the recommended version to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure authentication configurations and regular security updates to ensure protection against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the product impact section of LEN-72074 for patching instructions and guidance.