Sensitive Data Exposure in HyperKitty During Import Process
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2021-33038: An issue was discovered in management/commands/hyperkitty_import.py in HyperKitty through 1.3.4. Affects hyperkitty versions < 1.3.4-4. Fixed in 1.3.4-4. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
HyperKitty is an archiving and web interface for Mailman mailing lists, allowing users to manage and access mailing list archives efficiently. It provides features such as searching through archives, viewing messages, and managing user access. However, a vulnerability exists in versions up to 1.3.4 that can expose private mailing list archives during the import process, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Vulnerability Detail
An issue was discovered in management/commands/hyperkitty_import.py in HyperKitty through version 1.3.4. When importing archives from a private mailing list, these archives become publicly visible for the duration of the import. This means that sensitive information may be accessible on the web for an extended period, especially during large migrations from Mailman 2 to Mailman 3. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of access controls during the import process, allowing unauthorized users to view private data.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.3.4-4
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade hyperkittyTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid importing private mailing list archives until the package is updated. Alternatively, consider performing imports during off-peak hours when fewer users are likely to access the web interface.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in HyperKitty poses a significant risk of exposing sensitive information during the import of private mailing list archives. Users are strongly advised to update to the latest version to mitigate this risk. Additionally, temporary workarounds can help protect sensitive data until the update is applied.
See every vulnerability recorded for hyperkitty →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows private mailing list archives to be publicly visible during the import process, potentially exposing sensitive information.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring any signup.
Update HyperKitty to version 1.3.4-4 or later to fix the vulnerability and ensure that private data remains secure during imports.
Yes, there is a risk of sensitive data exposure if private mailing list archives are imported without applying the necessary updates.
As a temporary measure, refrain from importing private mailing list archives until the update can be applied.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for hyperkitty.
