Learn about CVE-2021-28847, a vulnerability in MobaXterm < 21.0 allowing denial of service attacks via rapid tab title changes. Find mitigation steps & impact details.
MobaXterm before version 21.0 is susceptible to a vulnerability that allows remote servers to trigger a denial of service attack on Windows GUI. This occurs when tab title change requests are sent at a high speed, resulting in numerous SetWindowTextA or SetWindowTextW calls.
Understanding CVE-2021-28847
This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-28847 vulnerability, its impacts, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2021-28847?
CVE-2021-28847 refers to a vulnerability in MobaXterm that exposes systems to denial of service attacks through repetitive tab title change requests.
The Impact of CVE-2021-28847
The vulnerability allows remote servers to cause Windows GUI to hang, leading to a denial of service condition, affecting the availability of the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-28847
Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-28847 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.
Vulnerability Description
MobaXterm before version 21.0 is prone to a denial of service flaw that can be exploited by sending rapid tab title change requests, resulting in an overload of SetWindowTextA or SetWindowTextW calls.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts MobaXterm versions earlier than 21.0, allowing attackers to disrupt the Windows GUI by overwhelming it with title change requests.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit CVE-2021-28847 by repeatedly sending tab title change requests at high speeds to trigger excessive SetWindowTextA or SetWindowTextW calls, leading to a Windows GUI hang.
Mitigation and Prevention
Understand the steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-28847 vulnerability, safeguarding systems from potential attacks.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should update MobaXterm to version 21.0 or above to mitigate the denial of service risk posed by CVE-2021-28847.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly updating software, monitoring system behaviors, and implementing network security measures can enhance overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by MobaXterm to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen system defenses.