CVE-2021-44530 is a critical injection vulnerability that exists in a third-party library used in UniFi Network Version 6.5.53 and earlier. This vulnerability allows a malicious actor to control the application, presenting significant risks to organizations.
Classified with a CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability's critical nature arises from its ability to impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Given its exploitation potential, organizations must act swiftly.
The vulnerability is linked to a widely known issue with Log4J (CVE-2021-44228), emphasizing the critical need for vigilance in software dependencies. Organizations using affected versions must address this vulnerability urgently.
With no known exploits available in the wild and the vulnerability not being part of the KEV catalog, organizations still face potential threats from attackers leveraging this flaw. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for unauthorized control over the application due to improper input validation. The affected product, UniFi Network Controller, is utilized widely in network management, heightening the risk of exploitation.
The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 indicates the vulnerability's critical severity, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous.
The vulnerability was published on January 14, 2022, and affects all versions of the UniFi Network Controller prior to 6.5.54. It is associated with CWEs 20 (Improper Input Validation) and 74 (Injection).
Technical Analysis
The root cause stems from an injection vulnerability in the Log4J library used by the UniFi Network Controller. This flaw allows for arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to gain control over the application's functionalities.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring low attack complexity with no privileges required or user interaction. This makes it accessible for a wide range of attackers. The vulnerability impacts the application's confidentiality, integrity, and availability significantly.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and control over the application’s functionality, leading to potential data breaches and service disruptions. Given its critical CVSS score, organizations must prioritize this vulnerability.
With the potential for significant impact, organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability in their environments. The lack of known exploitation does not mitigate the need for swift action.
Based on the CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Given that it is not in the KEV catalog, proactive measures should be taken to ensure systems are protected.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the UniFi Network Controller prior to version 6.5.54. Organizations using these versions must take immediate action to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately by upgrading to UniFi Network Controller version 6.5.54 or later. Monitoring systems for any unusual activity is recommended while updates are applied.
If a patch is not yet available, organizations should implement network controls and ensure proper configuration hardening to limit the impact of potential exploitation.
For further assistance in validating security postures, organizations can consider engaging in penetration testing to proactively identify weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected inputs or unauthorized access attempts. Behavioral anomalies in application performance should also be scrutinized.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the risks associated with third-party libraries. Organizations should regularly evaluate their application dependencies to avoid similar vulnerabilities.
Security teams must stay abreast of vulnerabilities related to commonly used libraries and frameworks. For insights on managing vulnerabilities, consider reviewing our vulnerability management program for best practices.
Engaging in regular security assessments, such as penetration testing methodology, can help organizations identify and remediate vulnerabilities effectively.
Lastly, leveraging continuous security testing can further enhance an organization's resilience against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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