CVE-2020-24656 in Maltego
Summary
by MITRE
Maltego before 4.2.12 allows XXE attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24656 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw in Maltego software versions prior to 4.2.12. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-611, which specifically addresses XML external entity processing issues that can lead to various security exploits including data exfiltration and remote code execution. Maltego is a powerful data reconnaissance and visualization tool widely used by security professionals for threat intelligence gathering and network mapping activities, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its functionality.
The technical flaw manifests when Maltego processes XML data containing external entity references without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious XML payloads that include external entity declarations pointing to arbitrary resources or protocols. When the vulnerable application processes these XML files, it will attempt to resolve the external entities, potentially leading to information disclosure, server-side request forgery, or even remote code execution depending on the underlying system configuration. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including file uploads, web service integrations, or malformed data imports that are common in threat intelligence workflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-24656 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that leverage the tool's legitimate functionality for malicious purposes. Organizations using Maltego for threat hunting, incident response, or security analysis may unknowingly process malicious XML data through their workflows, creating potential entry points for attackers to escalate privileges or extract sensitive information from internal systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Maltego is integrated with other security tools or used in automated threat intelligence pipelines, as it can provide attackers with persistent access paths. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1566, this vulnerability aligns with the initial access phase where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain entry into target environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-24656 primarily focus on upgrading to Maltego version 4.2.12 or later, which includes proper XML validation and external entity handling. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all XML processing components within their threat intelligence infrastructure and consider implementing XML schema validation for any external data inputs. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious XML file patterns, implementing web application firewalls, and ensuring that all data sources are properly validated before processing. The remediation process should also include security awareness training for users who handle threat intelligence data, as social engineering attacks often exploit such vulnerabilities through crafted data files that appear legitimate.