CVE-2021-28379 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Vesta Control Panel (VestaCP) and myVesta. The vulnerability resides in the file web/upload/UploadHandler.php and allows uploads from a different origin. With a CVSS score of 8.8, this vulnerability is classified as high severity, indicating a substantial risk to organizations.
Organizations that utilize Vesta Control Panel versions through 0.9.8-27 and myVesta versions through 0.9.8-26-39 are particularly at risk. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, which could lead to further exploitation.
The vulnerability was published on March 15, 2021, and has been modified as new information has emerged. Notably, this vulnerability is not currently listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV) catalog, but exploitability remains high.
Given the high CVSS score, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the associated risks. The vulnerability's characteristics indicate that attackers may leverage it to upload malicious files, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of affected systems.
It is essential for organizations to remain vigilant and apply updates as soon as patches are available to protect against unauthorized file uploads.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows unauthorized file uploads due to insufficient validation of user input in the UploadHandler.php file. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates that this is a network-accessible vulnerability with low attack complexity and no required privileges for exploitation.
The CVE-2021-28379 vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a CVSS base score of 8.8. Organizations using affected versions of the Vesta Control Panel must assess their exposure and implement immediate remediation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to restrict file uploads based on the origin, allowing attackers to exploit this feature for malicious purposes. The attack vector is network-based, requiring user interaction to trigger the upload process.
The attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker can easily exploit this vulnerability to upload files without needing advanced skills. Privileges required for exploitation are none, making it accessible to unauthenticated users.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are significant, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access, modification of data, and denial of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized file uploads, which could lead to data breaches or service disruptions. The blast radius is considerable, affecting all instances of the Vesta Control Panel and myVesta applications that have not been patched.
Organizations should assess their risk exposure based on the CVSS score of 8.8 and the implications of not addressing this vulnerability promptly. The urgency for remediation is high, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute further attacks.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Vesta Control Panel up to 0.9.8-27 and myVesta up to 0.9.8-26-39. Organizations using these versions should consider upgrading to the latest releases to mitigate the vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2021-28379, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by the vendor. The appropriate patch addresses the unauthorized file upload vulnerability by enforcing stricter origin checks.
If a patch is not immediately available, organizations should consider implementing workarounds such as disabling file uploads or restricting access to the upload functionality until the patch can be applied.
Monitoring and logging should also be enhanced to detect any unauthorized upload attempts, ensuring rapid response to potential exploitation.
For further assistance and to validate the effectiveness of remediation, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual upload requests and validate that file types being uploaded are as expected. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected traffic patterns to the upload handler, should also be flagged for review.
Network signatures should be established to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability, and systems should be monitored for changes that could indicate successful exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-28379 illustrates a common attack vector in web applications where file upload functionality is not correctly secured. Its presence highlights the importance of thorough validation of user inputs and adherence to security best practices in application development.
Security teams should regularly review and update their security policies and procedures to address vulnerabilities like this. Implementing a comprehensive vulnerability management program can assist organizations in identifying and remediating weaknesses proactively.
For guidance on securing applications, organizations may refer to resources like the penetration testing methodology to ensure robust defenses against such vulnerabilities.
Overall, the lessons learned from CVE-2021-28379 should drive organizations to prioritize security in their development practices, taking proactive steps to mitigate risks associated with file uploads.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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