CVE-2021-27211
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-27211 is a vulnerability in steghide 0.5.1 where the steganography tool uses a predictable 32-bit seed value for hiding data in files. This allows attackers to more easily detect and potentially extract hidden data from files created with this version. Anyone using steghide 0.5.1 to hide sensitive information in files is affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- steghide
📦 What is this software?
Steghide by Steghide Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Hidden confidential data is extracted by attackers, leading to data breaches, exposure of sensitive information, or compromise of covert communications.
Likely Case
Hidden data becomes detectable and extractable by determined attackers, undermining the confidentiality of steganographically hidden information.
If Mitigated
With proper controls, the impact is limited as steganography is typically used for additional security layers rather than primary protection.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public proof-of-concept tools like stegcrack exist to exploit this vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: None
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/StefanoDeVuono/steghide
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch exists. The recommended fix is to upgrade to a newer version if available, or use alternative steganography tools.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Use alternative steganography tools
allReplace steghide with other steganography tools that don't have this vulnerability
Apply additional encryption
allEncrypt data before hiding it with steghide to add an extra layer of protection
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Assume all data hidden with steghide 0.5.1 is potentially detectable and extractable
- Use steghide only for non-sensitive data or in combination with strong encryption
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check steghide version with 'steghide --version' commandCheck Version:
steghide --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify steghide is no longer in use or has been replaced with alternative tools📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file analysis activity
- Multiple failed extraction attempts on files
Network Indicators:
- Transfer of files known to contain steganographic data
SIEM Query:
Process execution containing 'steghide' or 'stegcrack' commands🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165199/Steghide-Hidden-Data-Extraction.html
- https://github.com/StefanoDeVuono/steghide
- https://github.com/b4shfire/stegcrack
- https://sourceforge.net/projects/steghide/files/steghide/0.5.1/
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165199/Steghide-Hidden-Data-Extraction.html
- https://github.com/StefanoDeVuono/steghide
- https://github.com/b4shfire/stegcrack
- https://sourceforge.net/projects/steghide/files/steghide/0.5.1/
