CVE-2021-21470 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2021-21470 affecting SAP EPM Add-ins for Microsoft Office and SAP Analysis Office. Understand the XXE vulnerability, its impact, and mitigation steps.
SAP EPM Add-in for Microsoft Office, version - 1010 and SAP EPM Add-in for SAP Analysis Office, version - 2.8, are vulnerable to XXE-based attacks. An authenticated attacker with user privileges can exploit this vulnerability to parse malicious XML files, potentially impacting application integrity and availability.
Understanding CVE-2021-21470
This CVE impacts SAP EPM Add-ins for Microsoft Office and SAP Analysis Office, enabling attackers to execute XXE-based attacks through malicious XML files.
What is CVE-2021-21470?
The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to manipulate XML files, leading to XXE attacks on applications that accept attacker-controlled XML configuration files.
The Impact of CVE-2021-21470
Successful exploitation could result in limited impact on the application's integrity and availability due to the lack of disabled XML external entities when parsing configuration files.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-21470
The CVSS 3.0 base score for this CVE is 3.6, indicating a low severity issue with a high attack complexity, local attack vector, and low impact on availability, confidentiality, and integrity.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the failure to disable XML external entities while parsing configuration files, leading to XXE-based attacks.
Affected Systems and Versions
SAP EPM Add-in for Microsoft Office versions prior to 1010 and SAP EPM Add-in for SAP Analysis Office versions before 2.8 are impacted.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with user privileges can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating XML files to execute XXE attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-21470, immediate actions and long-term security practices are essential.
Immediate Steps to Take
Ensure user privileges are monitored, update affected software to patched versions, and restrict access to configuration files to trusted entities.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and educate users about safe handling of XML files.
Patching and Updates
Apply security patches provided by SAP promptly to mitigate the XXE vulnerability in the affected EPM Add-in versions.