CVE-2021-31586
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated users to perform SQL injection via LDAP group search functionality in Accellion Kiteworks. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially accessing, modifying, or deleting database content. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Kiteworks are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Accellion Kiteworks
📦 What is this software?
Kiteworks by Accellion
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or system takeover via SQL injection to RCE chain
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, or data manipulation within the Kiteworks application
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to network segmentation, database permissions restrictions, and monitoring
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via authenticated LDAP group search; exploit details available in public repositories
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.4.0 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/accellion/CVEs/blob/main/CVE-2021-31586.txt
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup current configuration and data. 2. Download Kiteworks 7.4.0 or later from Accellion support portal. 3. Follow vendor upgrade documentation. 4. Restart Kiteworks services. 5. Verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable LDAP Group Search
linuxTemporarily disable LDAP group search functionality if not essential
Modify Kiteworks configuration to remove LDAP group search settings
Network Segmentation
allRestrict database access from application servers
Configure firewall rules to limit database connections to specific IPs/ports
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and parameterized queries at application layer
- Deploy WAF with SQL injection protection rules and monitor for attack patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Kiteworks version via admin interface or configuration files; versions below 7.4.0 are vulnerableCheck Version:
Check /opt/kiteworks/version.txt or admin interface version displayVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 7.4.0 or higher and test LDAP group search functionality📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed LDAP group search attempts
- Suspicious user activity patterns
Network Indicators:
- Unusual database connection patterns from application servers
- SQL error messages in HTTP responses
SIEM Query:
source="kiteworks" AND ("sql" OR "ldap" OR "group search") AND (error OR failed OR exception)