CVE-2021-46398 : Security Advisory and Response

A Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability in Filebrowser < 2.18.0 allows attackers to create a backdoor user with admin privilege and gain access to the filesystem, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Understanding CVE-2021-46398

This CVE involves a security flaw in Filebrowser versions below 2.18.0 that enables malicious actors to exploit Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) to compromise the application.

What is CVE-2021-46398?

It is a CSRF vulnerability in Filebrowser < 2.18.0.
Attackers can create an admin user through a malicious HTML page.
This vulnerability can allow remote code execution (RCE) through the compromised admin account.

The Impact of CVE-2021-46398

Attackers can create unauthorized admin users with complete control.
Unauthorized access to the filesystem can lead to data breaches or system compromise.
RCE potential enables attackers to run arbitrary commands on the host system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-46398

This section details the technical aspects of the CVE issue in Filebrowser.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit CSRF to create admin users.
By creating a backdoor admin account, attackers can access and manipulate the filesystem.

Affected Systems and Versions

Filebrowser versions below 2.18.0 are susceptible to this CSRF vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send a malicious HTML page to victims to create unauthorized admin users.
Once the admin account is created, attackers can leverage it for RCE.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems against CVE-2021-46398 involves taking immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Filebrowser to version 2.18.0 or newer to patch the CSRF vulnerability.
Regularly monitor system logs for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong authentication mechanisms like multi-factor authentication.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for Filebrowser and apply patches promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities.