CVE-2021-22911 is a critical vulnerability found in Rocket.Chat server versions 3.11, 3.12, and 3.13. This vulnerability allows improper input sanitization, enabling unauthenticated NoSQL injection. The implications of this vulnerability can lead to remote code execution (RCE), which poses a significant risk to organizations utilizing this platform.
With a CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability is classified as critical, indicating the necessity for organizations to prioritize patching immediately. The potential for attackers to exploit this vulnerability without authentication makes it particularly dangerous, necessitating urgent action from security teams.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise, which can have severe ramifications. Given the ease of exploitation, organizations must ensure that they are vigilant and proactive in their security measures.
As of now, an exploit has been confirmed for this vulnerability, and it is essential that organizations take immediate steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-22911.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability described in CVE-2021-22911 is due to improper input sanitization in the Rocket.Chat server. This issue affects the following versions: 3.11, 3.12, and 3.13. The official CVE description notes that it could lead to unauthenticated NoSQL injection, with the potential to result in remote code execution.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-75, which refers to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command ('SQL Injection'). The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 highlights the critical nature of this vulnerability, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Given the low attack complexity and no required privileges, this vulnerability can be exploited by any unauthenticated user over the network.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-22911 is an improper input sanitization mechanism within the Rocket.Chat server. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that could be processed by the server, leading to NoSQL injection vulnerabilities.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning that an attacker does not need local access to exploit it. The attack complexity is rated as low, which means that it can be executed without requiring sophisticated skill or resources.
No user interaction is necessary to exploit this vulnerability, making it even more critical. The impacts are severe, with high potential for confidentiality and integrity compromise, as well as availability issues.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-22911 is significant. Organizations using affected versions of Rocket.Chat should be aware of the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information and system control by malicious actors.
The blast radius could be extensive, affecting not only the integrity of the Rocket.Chat server but also any connected systems or data it manages. The urgency for remediation is underscored by both the CVSS score and the known exploitation status of this vulnerability.
Organizations should address this vulnerability as part of their immediate patching cycle to prevent potential exploitation and to safeguard their systems.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of the Rocket.Chat server include 3.11.0, 3.12.0, and 3.13.0. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to upgrade to a patched version.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches for Rocket.Chat server to mitigate this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing configuration hardening and network controls to limit exposure.
For comprehensive security validation, organizations may also benefit from engaging in penetration testing to assess the effectiveness of their remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual query patterns that might indicate NoSQL injection attempts. Additionally, look for behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal operations.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-22911 highlights the ongoing risks associated with improper input sanitization in web applications. Organizations must recognize the significance of secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
This vulnerability is part of a broader trend of NoSQL injection vulnerabilities that exploit weaknesses in data processing layers. Security teams should prioritize training and awareness to mitigate the risk.
For more insights on securing applications, organizations should explore our resources on web application penetration testing and effective vulnerability management programs to enhance their security posture.
Finally, organizations are encouraged to consider penetration testing methodologies to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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