CVE-2021-37178 in Solid Edge SE2021
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge SE2021 (All Versions < SE2021MP7). An XML external entity injection vulnerability in the underlying XML parser could cause the affected application to disclose arbitrary files to remote attackers by loading a specially crafted xml file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-37178 represents a critical XML external entity injection flaw within Solid Edge SE2021 software versions prior to MP7. This issue resides in the application's underlying XML parser implementation, which fails to properly validate and sanitize external entity references during XML document processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate XML parsing behavior through crafted external entity declarations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the affected Solid Edge application processes a specially crafted xml file containing malicious external entity references. When the XML parser encounters these references, it attempts to resolve them by accessing external resources, potentially leading to arbitrary file disclosure from the system where the application is running. This behavior aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes XML external entity injection vulnerabilities as a serious class of security flaws that can result in unauthorized data access and information disclosure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Solid Edge SE2021 in their design and engineering workflows. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access sensitive design files, proprietary engineering data, or system configuration information stored on servers or workstations running the vulnerable software. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the disclosure of design intellectual property could compromise competitive advantages and lead to substantial financial losses. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of malicious files to gain initial access, and T1074, which addresses data staging through file and directory enumeration.
The exploitation scenario typically involves an attacker crafting a malicious xml file that references external entities pointing to sensitive system files or network resources. When an unsuspecting user opens this file within Solid Edge, the application's XML parser automatically attempts to resolve these external references, potentially exposing confidential information to the attacker. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where design data contains sensitive intellectual property or proprietary engineering information.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of the vendor-provided patch or update to SE2021MP7, which addresses the XML parsing vulnerability through enhanced input validation and external entity restriction mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of Solid Edge installations to untrusted networks or users. Additionally, organizations should establish file validation procedures and user education programs to prevent accidental execution of malicious xml files. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to load external resources through XML parsers, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts.