CVE-2021-45331 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An Authentication Bypass vulnerability in Gitea before version 1.5.0 allows a malicious user to gain unauthorized privileges by exploiting a flaw in the 2FA TOTP code submission.

Understanding CVE-2021-45331

What is CVE-2021-45331?

The CVE-2021-45331 vulnerability pertains to an Authentication Bypass issue in Gitea versions prior to 1.5.0, enabling a potential attacker to acquire unauthorized privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45331

This vulnerability could lead to a malicious user gaining escalated privileges through bypassing authentication in Gitea, compromising the security of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45331

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Gitea pre-1.5.0 permits a malicious actor to gain unauthorized rights by correctly submitting the TOTP code for 2FA multiple times.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Gitea
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: All versions before 1.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the 2FA TOTP code submission process to gain unauthorized privileges in Gitea.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Gitea to version 1.5.0 or later to mitigate the Authentication Bypass vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities in the system.
Enforce strong password policies and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Gitea.
Educate users on best practices for securing their accounts and data.

Patching and Updates

Apply all security patches and updates provided by Gitea promptly to ensure the system is protected against known vulnerabilities.