CVE-2021-40089 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE article provides details about an issue discovered in PrimeKey EJBCA before version 7.6.0.

Understanding CVE-2021-40089

This section delves into the nature of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2021-40089?

CVE-2021-40089 is a vulnerability identified in PrimeKey EJBCA prior to version 7.6.0. It concerns the General Purpose Custom Publisher feature, which could operate even when the System Configuration setting for External Script Access was disabled.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40089

The vulnerability allowed existing publishers to continue running despite the inability to create new publishers, potentially leading to unauthorized execution of scripts.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40089

In this section, we explore the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in PrimeKey EJBCA enabled the General Purpose Custom Publisher to function when the Enable External Script Access setting was inactive, contrary to intended behavior.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious entities to execute local scripts through existing General Purpose Custom Publishers.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section offers guidance on addressing the CVE concern and preventing future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update PrimeKey EJBCA to version 7.6.0 or higher to mitigate this vulnerability.
Consider disabling the General Purpose Custom Publisher feature if not essential for operations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and adjust system configurations to align with security best practices.
Conduct security audits to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities in the system.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by PrimeKey to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.