CVE-2021-36286: Software Security Vulnerability Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-8fgh-m2wx-m9h3
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CVSS 7.1
CWE-59 CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-36286 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.1) security vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')) affecting Software libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The weakness occurs when the product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2021-36286 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-36286
GHSA Identifier GHSA-8fgh-m2wx-m9h3
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.1
CWE Classification CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Affected Product Software
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.1

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2021-36286

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Software dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-36286, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Software in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following'), where the product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. In Software, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Dell SupportAssist Client Consumer versions 3.9.13.0 and any versions prior to 3.9.13.0 contain an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability that can be exploited by using the Windows feature of NTFS called Symbolic links. Symbolic links can be created by any(non-privileged) user under some object directories, but by themselves are not sufficient to successfully escalate privileges. However, combining them with a different object, such as the NTFS junction point allows for the exploitation. Support assist clean files functionality do not distinguish junction points from the physical folder and proceeds to clean the target of the junction that allows nonprivileged users to create junction points and delete arbitrary files on the system which can be accessed only by the admin.

References

NVD — CVE-2021-36286 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-36286
Software Security Information SECURITY
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000191057/dsa-2021-163-dell-supportassist-client-consumer-security-update-for-two-vulnerabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-36286?
CVE-2021-36286 is a security vulnerability in Software classified as a security vulnerability vulnerability under CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following').
Which Software versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches.
What version fixes CVE-2021-36286?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-36286?
CVE-2021-36286 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-36286?
CVE-2021-36286 is classified under CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') (The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-36286?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-8fgh-m2wx-m9h3",
  "modified" : "2022-10-25T19:00:34Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-24T19:15:55Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-36286" ],
  "details" : "Dell SupportAssist Client Consumer versions 3.9.13.0 and any versions prior to 3.9.13.0 contain an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability that can be exploited by using the Windows feature of NTFS called Symbolic links. Symbolic links can be created by any(non-privileged) user under some object directories, but by themselves are not sufficient to successfully escalate privileges. However, combining them with a different object, such as the NTFS junction point allows for the exploitation. Support assist clean files functionality do not distinguish junction points from the physical folder and proceeds to clean the target of the junction that allows nonprivileged users to create junction points and delete arbitrary files on the system which can be accessed only by the admin.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-36286"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000191057/dsa-2021-163-dell-supportassist-client-consumer-security-update-for-two-vulnerabilities"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22", "CWE-59" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : false,
    "github_reviewed_at" : null,
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-09-28T20:15:00Z"
  }
}