CVE-2021-41282 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

CVE-2021-41282 pertains to a vulnerability in diag_routes.php in pfSense 2.5.2 that allows for sed data injection, potentially leading to remote command execution.

Understanding CVE-2021-41282

What is CVE-2021-41282?

This CVE describes the ability for authenticated users to inject sed-specific code via diag_routes.php in pfSense 2.5.2, enabling the writing of arbitrary files in arbitrary locations.

The Impact of CVE-2021-41282

The vulnerability could result in unauthorized remote command execution on affected systems, posing a severe security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-41282

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from parsing netstat utility output with sed in a way that allows for code injection despite common protection mechanisms in place.

Affected Systems and Versions

System: pfSense 2.5.2
Versions: All versions of pfSense 2.5.2 are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

By injecting sed-specific code, attackers can manipulate data processing and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update pfSense to the latest version to patch the vulnerability
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity related to diag_routes.php

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access
Regularly review and update security configurations to address new threats

Patching and Updates

Apply updates and patches provided by pfSense to ensure that the sed data injection vulnerability is mitigated.