CVE-2021-41372 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Power BI Report Server is affected by a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability that allows attackers to perform privilege escalation by uploading malicious files and manipulating user sessions.

Understanding CVE-2021-41372

What is CVE-2021-41372?

The CVE-2021-41372 vulnerability in Power BI Report Server enables attackers to upload malicious Power BI template files, execute scripts within the user's security context, and potentially escalate privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-41372

This vulnerability could result in spoofing attacks, granting attackers unauthorized access to the system and potentially compromising user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-41372

Vulnerability Description

A vulnerability exists in Power BI Report Server when malicious template files are uploaded, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the user's security context.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Microsoft
Affected Products and Versions:
Power BI Report Server version 1.11.8091.10468
Version 1.0.0.0 less than 15.0.1106.457
Power BI Report Server version 1.12.7977.29537
Version 1.0.0.0 less than 15.0.1107.165
Platforms: Unknown

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker uploads a Power BI template file containing HTML files to the server. By manipulating the victim's session, the attacker runs scripts in the victim's security context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security update provided by Microsoft to address the vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks associated with uploading and accessing files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file uploads to detect suspicious activities.
Implement robust session management mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Update Power BI Report Server to the latest patched version to mitigate the CVE-2021-41372 vulnerability.