CVE-2021-27654
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass local authentication by exploiting forgotten password reset functionality for local accounts. It affects Pega Platform systems with local authentication enabled, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data and administrative functions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Pega Platform
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to gain administrative privileges, access sensitive data, modify configurations, and potentially pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to user accounts leading to data theft, privilege escalation, and potential business process manipulation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, strong authentication controls, and monitoring in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to the password reset functionality but does not require authentication. Attack complexity is low once the vulnerability is understood.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Pega Platform 8.5.4 and 8.6.2
Vendor Advisory: https://collaborate.pega.com/discussion/pega-security-advisory-c21
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the appropriate patch from Pega Collaboration Portal. 2. Apply the patch following Pega's standard patching procedures. 3. Restart the Pega Platform services. 4. Verify the fix is applied.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Local Authentication
allConfigure Pega Platform to use external authentication providers instead of local authentication
Configure authentication to use LDAP, Active Directory, or SSO providers
Restrict Access to Password Reset
allApply network controls to limit access to password reset functionality
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to /prweb/PRRestService/* endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate Pega systems from untrusted networks
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for authentication and password reset events
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if using Pega Platform 8.5.x or 8.6.x with local authentication enabled and version is below 8.5.4 or 8.6.2Check Version:
Check Pega Platform version in System Management Application or via PRPC:Engine APIVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Pega Platform version is 8.5.4 or higher for 8.5.x branch, or 8.6.2 or higher for 8.6.x branch📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed password reset attempts from single IP
- Successful password reset for privileged accounts
- Unusual authentication patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /prweb/PRRestService/v1/PasswordReset from unusual locations
- Burst of authentication-related traffic
SIEM Query:
source="pega_logs" AND (event_type="password_reset" OR event_type="authentication") AND status="success" AND user_role="admin"