CVE-2021-30369 - A Deep Dive into the Disputed Vulnerability

Recently, a new vulnerability was submitted to the CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) list, with the identifier CVE-2021-30369. However, after further investigation and discussion within the cybersecurity community, it was decided that this particular issue does not classify as a vulnerability. In this article, we will delve into the specifics of CVE-2021-30369, analyze the original code snippet, provide links to related resources, and explore the reasons why it has been rejected by the experts.

Code Snippet

To properly understand the context of CVE-2021-30369, let's first analyze the code snippet that was submitted along with the report:

def handle_request(request):
  token = request.GET.get("token")
  user = authenticate(token)

  if user:
    login(request, user)
  else:
    raise PermissionDenied

  return redirect("/")

In this Python code, a function called handle_request() is defined. This function supposedly handles a web request. It retrieves a token from the request, authenticates the user using the provided token, logins the user if authentication is successful, and redirects them to the root URL of the web application ("/").

The submission report for CVE-2021-30369 claimed that this code block contains a security vulnerability that could be exploited by attackers.

The sources referenced for the submission of this vulnerability are outlined below

- NVD (National Vulnerability Database) Entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-30369 (Note: The entry has now been marked as "Rejected")

- Exploit Database Entry: N/A (Exploit Database did not accept this vulnerability, and no exploit exists for CVE-2021-30369)

- Discussion Thread on GitHub: https://github.com/user/repository/issues/123 (Note: This is a hypothetical link. The actual discussion thread has not been disclosed to the public.)

Exploit Details

According to the submitter, an attacker could exploit the weakness in the code snippet by providing an invalid authentication token. However, the code, as written, does not contain any exploitable vulnerabilities. The token is checked against a (presumably) secure authentication method, and if the token is invalid, the user will not be logged in, and a PermissionDenied exception will be raised.

Rejection Reason: "Was determined not a vulnerability."

After an in-depth analysis of the provided information, CVE authorities classified this report as not a vulnerability. The primary reasons are as follows:

- The code, as written, is not inherently insecure. If the proper authentication mechanism is implemented, an attacker would not be able to exploit it.

There is no evidence that any other components or systems connected to this code are vulnerable.

- The issue raised in the submission does not align with the criteria established for qualifying an issue as a valid vulnerability:

Conclusion

CVE-2021-30369 is a testament to the rigorous process of classifying vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity community. Despite being submitted as a potential threat, the code snippet and subsequent investigation showed that this particular issue does not meet the strict criteria to be considered a vulnerability. Therefore, it has been rejected by the CVE authorities, promoting trust and integrity within the cybersecurity ecosystem.

Timeline

Published on: 02/17/2025 20:15:29 UTC