CVE-2021-29262: Solr core Improper Permission Handling Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-jgcr-fg3g-qvw8
CVSS 7.5
CWE-279 CWE-522
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-29262 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) improper permission handling vulnerability (CWE-279: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions) affecting Solr core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper permission handling in apache solr. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 8.8.2.

CVE-2021-29262 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-29262
GHSA Identifier GHSA-jgcr-fg3g-qvw8
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-279: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions
Affected Product Solr core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

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

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

How to Fix CVE-2021-29262

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

org.apache.solr:solr-core fixed: 8.8.2
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.solr</groupId>
    <artifactId>solr-core</artifactId>
    <version>8.8.2</version>
</dependency>
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 -Dincludes=org.apache.solr

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-29262, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.solr

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Solr core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 8.8.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.solr 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-279: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions, where while it is executing, the product sets the permissions of an object in a way that violates the intended permissions that have been specified by the user. In Solr core, 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

When starting Apache Solr versions prior to 8.8.2, configured with the SaslZkACLProvider or VMParamsAllAndReadonlyDigestZkACLProvider and no existing security.json znode, if the optional read-only user is configured then Solr would not treat that node as a sensitive path and would allow it to be readable. Additionally, with any ZkACLProvider, if the security.json is already present, Solr will not automatically update the ACLs.

CVE-2021-29262 Affected Solr core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
8.8.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.solr:solr-core
Maven
< 8.8.2
8.8.2

References

NVD — CVE-2021-29262 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29262
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/solr-15... WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/SOLR-15249
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1171f6... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1171f6417eeb6d5e1206d53e2b2ff2d6ee14026f8b595ef7d8a33b79@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1e92a2... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1e92a2eff6c47a65c4a6e95e809a9707181de76f8062403a0bea1012@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r51b29f... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r51b29ff62060b67bc9999ded5e252b36b09311fe5a02d27f6de3e4d3@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r536da4... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r536da4c4e4e406f7843461cc754a3d0a3fe575aa576e2b71a9cd57d0%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r715108... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7151081abab92a827a607205c4260b0a3d22280b52d15bc909177608@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8d35ee... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8d35eeb9a470d2682b5bcf3be0b8942faa7e28f9ca5861c058d17fff@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9c4ce6... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9c4ce6903218c92ef2583070e64af5a69e483821c4b3016dc41e3c6f@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb6db68... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb6db683903174eaa44ec80cc118a38574319b0d4181f36b61ee6278f@%3Cdev.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rbc680c... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rbc680cbfd745f22d182158217428a296e8e398cde16f3f428fe4bddc@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd85f87... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd85f87e559ee27e9c69795e3ad93a77621895e0328ea3df41d711d72@%3Coak-commits.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
lists.apache.org/thread.html/ref84e6... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ref84e60192f4bdc3206b247f260513e8d4e71f3e200792f75386d07a@%3Cdev.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E
Solr core Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210604-0009

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-29262?
CVE-2021-29262 is a security vulnerability in Solr core involving Improper permission handling in Apache Solr under CWE-279: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions.
Which Solr core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 8.8.2 across affected packages: org.apache.solr:solr-core.
What version fixes CVE-2021-29262?
Upgrading to 8.8.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is solr-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.solr:solr-core is affected in releases prior to 8.8.2. Upgrade your dependency to 8.8.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-29262?
CVE-2021-29262 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-29262?
CVE-2021-29262 is classified under CWE-279: Incorrect Execution-Assigned Permissions (While it is executing, the product sets the permissions of an object in a way that violates the intended permissions that have been specified by the user.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-29262?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.solr'. 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
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-jgcr-fg3g-qvw8",
  "modified" : "2021-05-07T16:46:48Z",
  "published" : "2021-05-10T15:18:17Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-29262" ],
  "summary" : "Improper permission handling in Apache Solr",
  "details" : "When starting Apache Solr versions prior to 8.8.2, configured with the SaslZkACLProvider or VMParamsAllAndReadonlyDigestZkACLProvider and no existing security.json znode, if the optional read-only user is configured then Solr would not treat that node as a sensitive path and would allow it to be readable. Additionally, with any ZkACLProvider, if the security.json is already present, Solr will not automatically update the ACLs.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.solr:solr-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "8.8.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29262"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/SOLR-15249"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1171f6417eeb6d5e1206d53e2b2ff2d6ee14026f8b595ef7d8a33b79@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r536da4c4e4e406f7843461cc754a3d0a3fe575aa576e2b71a9cd57d0%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7151081abab92a827a607205c4260b0a3d22280b52d15bc909177608@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8d35eeb9a470d2682b5bcf3be0b8942faa7e28f9ca5861c058d17fff@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
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  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb6db683903174eaa44ec80cc118a38574319b0d4181f36b61ee6278f@%3Cdev.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rbc680cbfd745f22d182158217428a296e8e398cde16f3f428fe4bddc@%3Coak-issues.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd85f87e559ee27e9c69795e3ad93a77621895e0328ea3df41d711d72@%3Coak-commits.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ref84e60192f4bdc3206b247f260513e8d4e71f3e200792f75386d07a@%3Cdev.jackrabbit.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210604-0009"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-279", "CWE-522" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2021-05-07T16:46:48Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-04-13T07:15:00Z"
  }
}