High severity · published Oct 19, 2021
CVE-2021-41131
python-tuf is a Python reference implementation of The Update Framework (TUF)
8.7
CVSS
1.5%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
python-tuf is a Python reference implementation of The Update Framework (TUF). In both clients (`tuf/client` and `tuf/ngclient`), there is a path traversal vulnerability that in the worst case can overwrite files ending in `.json` anywhere on the client system on a call to `get_one_valid_targetinfo()`. It occurs because the rolename is used to form the filename, and may contain path traversal characters (ie `../../name.json`). The impact is mitigated by a few facts: It only affects implementations that allow arbitrary rolename selection for delegated targets metadata, The attack requires the ability to A) insert new metadata for the path-traversing role and B) get the role delegated by an existing targets metadata, The written file content is heavily restricted since it needs to be a valid, signed targets file. The file extension is always .json. A fix is available in version 0.19 or newer. There are no workarounds that do not require code changes. Clients can restrict the allowed character set for rolenames, or they can store metadata in files named in a way that is not vulnerable: neither of these approaches is possible without modifying python-tuf.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)1.5% · higher than 73% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
TU
The Update Framework · Linuxfoundation
through 0.18.1 · source: NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41131
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-41131
Patch
https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/commit/4ad7ae48fda594b640139c3b7eae21ed5155a102
Issue Tracking
https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/issues/1527
Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/security/advisories/GHSA-wjw6-2cqr-j4qr
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