CVE-2021-29620 in Report Portal
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2021
Report portal is an open source reporting and analysis framework. Starting from version 3.1.0 of the service-api XML parsing was introduced. Unfortunately the XML parser was not configured properly to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks. This allows a user to import a specifically-crafted XML file which imports external Document Type Definition (DTD) file with external entities for extraction of secrets from Report Portal service-api module or server-side request forgery. This will be resolved in the 5.4.0 release.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-29620 affects Report Portal, an open source reporting and analysis framework that provides comprehensive test management and reporting capabilities. This security flaw emerged in the service-api component starting from version 3.1.0 where XML parsing functionality was introduced to handle various data formats. The implementation suffered from improper configuration of the XML parser which failed to adequately restrict external entity processing, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw stems from the XML parser's insufficient security hardening, specifically failing to disable external entity resolution and DTD processing. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft malicious XML files that reference external Document Type Definition files containing external entities. When the Report Portal service-api module processes these specially crafted XML imports, it inadvertently resolves external references and executes malicious payloads. The vulnerability enables two primary attack vectors: secret extraction from the Report Portal service-api module and server-side request forgery attacks that can potentially access internal network resources or exfiltrate sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a persistent threat vector that could compromise the entire Report Portal infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this XXE vulnerability to extract sensitive configuration data, credentials, or internal system information from the service-api module. Additionally, the server-side request forgery capability allows for reconnaissance activities and potential lateral movement within the network environment where Report Portal is deployed. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Report Portal for test management and reporting, as the attack surface includes any user who can import XML data into the system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 5.4.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper XML parser configuration. Security hardening measures should include disabling external entity resolution and DTD processing in all XML parsers, implementing proper input validation for XML imports, and restricting user privileges for XML import operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) within the enterprise attack framework. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious XML import activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.