CVE-2021-26705 in CatDV Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2021
An issue was discovered in SquareBox CatDV Server through 9.2. An attacker can invoke sensitive RMI methods such as getConnections without authentication, the results of which can be used to generate valid authentication tokens. These tokens can then be used to invoke administrative tasks within the application, such as disclosing password hashes.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-26705 affects SquareBox CatDV Server version 9.2 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of the application. This issue stems from improper access controls within the Remote Method Invocation (RMI) interface, which is designed to facilitate communication between distributed Java applications. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to invoke sensitive methods that should typically require valid credentials, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to administrative functions.
The technical flaw manifests through the exposure of RMI endpoints that handle connection management and authentication token generation. When an attacker invokes the getConnections method without proper authentication, the system returns information that can be leveraged to generate valid authentication tokens. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks where the RMI service fails to validate the identity of callers before executing privileged operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues in software systems, and demonstrates how RMI interfaces can become attack vectors when not properly secured.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges from anonymous access to administrative control over the CatDV Server. Once valid authentication tokens are generated through the exposed RMI methods, attackers can invoke administrative tasks that would normally be restricted to authorized users. The disclosure of password hashes represents a particularly dangerous consequence, as these credentials can be used to gain persistent access to the system and potentially compromise additional network resources. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials, and T1566, which involves credential access through various attack vectors.
The security implications extend beyond immediate unauthorized access, as the compromised system can serve as a foothold for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network. Attackers can use the administrative capabilities to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of securing distributed computing interfaces and demonstrates how legacy RMI implementations can contain critical security flaws when not properly configured with appropriate authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation, firewall restrictions, and RMI service hardening to prevent unauthorized access to the vulnerable endpoints.