CVE-2021-27731 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Accellion FTA 9_12_432 and earlier versions are vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through a malicious crafted POST request to a user endpoint. The issue has been addressed in version FTA_9_12_444 and later.

Understanding CVE-2021-27731

This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-27731.

What is CVE-2021-27731?

CVE-2021-27731 identifies a stored XSS vulnerability in Accellion FTA versions 9_12_432 and earlier, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the user's session.

The Impact of CVE-2021-27731

The vulnerability can be exploited by cybercriminals to inject and execute unauthorized scripts on the affected Accellion FTA instances, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized access, or further compromise of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-27731

Understanding specific aspects of the vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

Accellion FTA versions 9_12_432 and earlier are prone to stored XSS attacks via specially crafted POST requests targeting user endpoints, enabling threat actors to insert and run malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Accellion FTA versions 9_12_432 and below are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability, while the fixed version FTA_9_12_444 and later addresses the issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious POST request to the user endpoint, injecting harmful scripts that get stored and executed when a user interacts with the affected page.

Mitigation and Prevention

Best practices to secure systems against CVE-2021-27731

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to the latest Accellion FTA version FTA_9_12_444 or higher to mitigate the XSS risk.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and awareness about phishing attacks to prevent XSS exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Accellion and promptly apply patches to eliminate known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of the system.