CVE-2021-44557 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

National Library of the Netherlands multiNER <= c0440948057afc6e3d6b4903a7c05e666b94a3bc is affected by an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in multiNER/ner.py. This vulnerability can lead to leakage of internal files or a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2021-44557

National Library of the Netherlands multiNER <= c0440948057afc6e3d6b4903a7c05e666b94a3bc is susceptible to an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability that affects the application's operation and security.

What is CVE-2021-44557?

The CVE-2021-44557 vulnerability is an XML External Entity (XXE) issue in multiNER/ner.py, enabling malicious XML streams to exploit the XML parsing process, potentially causing data leakage or a potential DoS attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44557

If exploited, this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data as external entities are resolved during XML parsing, posing a risk of data leakage and potential Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44557

National Library of the Netherlands multiNER <= c0440948057afc6e3d6b4903a7c05e666b94a3bc is affected by an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in multiNER/ner.py.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to the XML parser resolving external entities, allowing a malicious XML stream to leak internal files or conduct a DoS attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Application: National Library of the Netherlands multiNER
Vulnerable Version: <= c0440948057afc6e3d6b4903a7c05e666b94a3bc

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves crafting a malicious XML stream to trigger the parser to resolve external entities, leading to the leakage of internal files or potential DoS conditions.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate actions to secure the system and implement long-term security practices to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches or updates provided by the vendor promptly.
Restrict network access to the affected system.
Monitor and detect any abnormal activities related to XML parsing.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components.
Implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent XXE attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure to apply the latest patches and updates released by National Library of the Netherlands for multiNER to mitigate the XXE vulnerability.