CVE-2021-36799 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in KNX ETS5 versions up to 5.7.6. This vulnerability allows local users to read sensitive project information due to the use of a hard-coded password, "ETS5Password", along with a salt value of "Ivan Medvedev". The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects products that are no longer supported by the vendor, increasing the risk of exploitation. Given the CVSS score of 8.8, organizations must prioritize addressing this vulnerability.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to project data, which can lead to significant operational disruptions. The vulnerability's attack vector is local, with low complexity and low privileges required for exploitation. As such, it can be exploited easily by local users, making it crucial for organizations to assess their exposure.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Given that the affected products are unsupported, alternative mitigation strategies must be considered urgently to prevent potential data breaches or misuse.
The vulnerability was published on July 19, 2021, and has been modified since its initial release. It is imperative for organizations utilizing KNX ETS5 to remain vigilant regarding this issue.
In summary, CVE-2021-36799 represents a critical risk for organizations using this software, necessitating immediate action to mitigate potential impacts.
Vulnerability Details
KNX ETS5 through 5.7.6 uses the hard-coded password ETS5Password, with a salt value of Ivan Medvedev, allowing local users to read project information. This vulnerability affects products no longer supported by the maintainer, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is local, requiring low complexity and low privileges, with no user interaction needed. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, further underscoring the urgency of remediation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the hard-coded password implementation within the KNX ETS5 software. Attackers with local access can exploit this weakness to retrieve sensitive project information, leading to unauthorized access and potential data manipulation.
The attack vector is local, meaning that the attacker needs physical access to the system. The complexity of the attack is low, as only basic skills are required to exploit this vulnerability. No user interaction is required, making the attack straightforward for any local user with malicious intent.
This vulnerability has a significant confidentiality impact, as sensitive project information can be accessed without authorization. The integrity and availability impacts are also high, as unauthorized users could potentially modify or disrupt operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-36799 is substantial, particularly for organizations relying on the KNX ETS5 software. Given that the software is no longer supported, organizations face increased exposure to potential exploitation.
The blast radius for this vulnerability could be extensive, as unauthorized access to project information may lead to operational disruptions and data breaches. Organizations that have implemented this software should conduct a thorough risk assessment to understand the potential impacts.
In terms of urgency, organizations must prioritize patching this vulnerability as part of their immediate risk management strategy. Given the high CVSS score and the potential for exploitation, timely remediation is critical.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all versions of KNX Engineering Tool Software 5 up to and including 5.7.6. Organizations using this software should take immediate action to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations are urged to implement the following mitigation strategies:
1. **Patch and Update**: If available, organizations should upgrade to a patched version of the software. If no patches are available, consider alternative solutions.
2. **Configuration Hardening**: Review and tighten access controls for the software to limit local access.
3. **Network Controls**: Implement network segmentation to restrict access to systems running the vulnerable software.
4. **Monitoring**: Establish monitoring for unusual access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.
For continuous assessment of the security posture, organizations should consider engaging in continuous penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor for:
1. **Log Indicators**: Review logs for any unauthorized attempts to access project files.
2. **Behavioral Anomalies**: Identify any unusual user behavior that may indicate exploitation.
3. **Network Signatures**: Implement signatures to detect known exploits related to this vulnerability.
4. **System Changes**: Monitor for changes to the system that may indicate unauthorized access.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-36799 highlights the risks associated with hard-coded credentials in software applications. Organizations must recognize the patterns of vulnerabilities that stem from poor coding practices and take proactive measures to prevent similar issues in the future.
This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to prioritize secure coding practices during software development. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify and remediate weaknesses before they can be exploited.
As organizations adapt their security strategies, they should also consider leveraging penetration testing services to continuously assess their security posture.
Furthermore, organizations should engage in application security assessments to ensure that their software is resilient against emerging threats.
In conclusion, the lessons learned from this vulnerability must be applied to enhance security across the board, ensuring that organizations are better prepared to defend against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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