CVE-2021-37425 in MobileTogether Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2021
Altova MobileTogether Server before 7.3 SP1 allows XXE attacks, such as an InfoSetChanges/Changes attack against /workflowmanagement, or reading mobiletogetherserver.cfg and then reading the certificate and private key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37425 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within Altova MobileTogether Server versions prior to 7.3 SP1. This security weakness enables remote attackers to exploit the server's processing of XML data through maliciously crafted input that references external resources. The vulnerability specifically affects the workflow management component of the server, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on MobileTogether Server for mobile application development and deployment.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs through the InfoSetChanges/Changes endpoint within the workflow management interface. Attackers can craft XML payloads that instruct the server to fetch external resources, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or server-side request forgery attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to read sensitive configuration files such as mobiletogetherserver.cfg, which contains critical system information including cryptographic certificates and private keys. This exposure creates a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially gain full control over the server infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the MobileTogether Server environment. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of credential exposure, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The ability to extract private keys from the configuration files directly undermines the security of encrypted communications and digital signatures that the server relies upon for authentication and data protection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers use the XXE payload to establish command and control communications through external resource references.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-37425 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch to upgrade to MobileTogether Server 7.3 SP1 or later versions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the workflow management endpoints, disable unnecessary XML processing capabilities, and monitor for suspicious XML traffic patterns. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential XXE vulnerabilities within their infrastructure and implement proper input validation controls to prevent similar attacks against other applications. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the security vulnerability is properly addressed.