CVE-2021-22145 is a memory disclosure vulnerability identified in Elasticsearch versions 7.10.0 through 7.13.3. The vulnerability arises when a user capable of submitting arbitrary queries to Elasticsearch submits a malformed query, which can result in error messages revealing previously used portions of a data buffer. This buffer may contain sensitive information such as documents or authentication details.
The CVSS score assigned to this vulnerability is 6.5, classifying it as medium severity. This score indicates that the vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low complexity, requiring low privileges, and does not require user interaction. The confidentiality impact is rated as high, indicating a significant risk of sensitive data exposure, while integrity and availability impacts are rated as none.
Risk to organizations includes the potential exposure of sensitive Elasticsearch documents and authentication details, which could lead to unauthorized access or data breaches. Given the high confidentiality impact, organizations using the affected versions should prioritize patching immediately.
As of the latest information, known exploits have been identified, emphasizing the urgency for organizations to apply remediation measures without delay.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that a memory disclosure vulnerability was identified in Elasticsearch 7.10.0 to 7.13.3 error reporting. Affected systems include Elasticsearch and the Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Automated Test Suite. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-209 (Information Exposure Through an Error Message).
The CVSS score of 6.5 indicates medium severity, with a base vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, meaning that attackers may exploit the vulnerability with relative ease.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is tied to improper handling of error reporting in Elasticsearch. When a malformed query is submitted, the system inadvertently returns error messages that can disclose sensitive content from memory buffers. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity is classified as low, suggesting that an attacker requires minimal skill to trigger the vulnerability. Privileges required are also low, as any user capable of submitting queries can potentially exploit this issue without needing elevated access.
User interaction is not required to exploit this vulnerability, which increases the risk as attackers can automate the process. The impact on confidentiality is high, meaning sensitive information could be disclosed, while there is no impact on integrity or availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of Elasticsearch should assess their exposure to this vulnerability. The risk includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data, which may have severe implications for data privacy and compliance with regulations.
The blast radius could be significant, especially in environments where Elasticsearch is integrated with other systems, as attackers may leverage disclosed information to gain further access. Given the CVSS score of 6.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
The EPSS score of 0.679 indicates a high likelihood of exploitation, placing this vulnerability in the upper percentile of risk. Organizations should take immediate action to remediate this vulnerability and monitor for any signs of exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Elasticsearch range from 7.10.0 to 7.13.3. Organizations running these versions should apply the latest vendor patches to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the security update for Elasticsearch to versions 7.13.4 or later. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.
For further security measures, organizations may benefit from conducting a thorough penetration testing assessment to identify any other vulnerabilities in their environment.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual error messages, especially those relating to query submissions. Behavioral anomalies in user queries may also indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-22145 highlights the importance of robust error handling in applications. Organizations should conduct regular audits of their error handling practices and ensure that sensitive information is never exposed in error messages.
Security teams should also be aware of the trends in exploit development for vulnerabilities like this. For continuous improvement, organizations may consider enhancing their vulnerability management program to proactively address such issues.
Additionally, organizations should keep abreast of security advisories and updates from vendors, as timely information can be critical in preventing successful exploits.
For further insights into vulnerability management, consider reviewing our blog on penetration testing methodology and how it can aid in identifying risks before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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