CVE-2021-3021
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-3021 is a SQL injection vulnerability in ISPConfig web hosting control panel that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This affects all ISPConfig installations before version 3.2.2. Attackers could potentially access, modify, or delete database content.
💻 Affected Systems
- ISPConfig
📦 What is this software?
Ispconfig by Ispconfig
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the ISPConfig database leading to data theft, privilege escalation, and potential server takeover if database credentials allow broader system access.
Likely Case
Unauthorized database access allowing extraction of sensitive information like user credentials, hosting configurations, and customer data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and database permission restrictions, potentially only allowing data viewing without modification.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection vulnerabilities are commonly exploited, and proof-of-concept details have circulated in security communities.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.2.2
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ispconfig.org/blog/ispconfig-3-2-2-released-important-security-update/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your ISPConfig installation and database. 2. Update to ISPConfig 3.2.2 using the official update instructions. 3. Verify the update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Enhancement
linuxImplement additional input validation for SQL queries in ISPConfig code
Web Application Firewall
allDeploy a WAF with SQL injection protection rules
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict network access to ISPConfig interface to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement database-level permissions to limit potential damage from SQL injection
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ISPConfig version via web interface or examine version files in installation directoryCheck Version:
grep -r 'version' /usr/local/ispconfig/interface/lib/classes/*.inc.php 2>/dev/null | grep -i versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 3.2.2 or later and test SQL injection attempts are blocked📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL query patterns in database logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by SQL errors
- Unexpected database schema changes
Network Indicators:
- SQL injection payloads in HTTP requests to ISPConfig endpoints
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (url="*ispconfig*" AND (message="*sql*" OR message="*union*" OR message="*select*"))