CVE-2021-25681 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-25681, a vulnerability in AdTran Personal Phone Manager 10.8.1 software allowing data exfiltration over DNS. Understand the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
AdTran Personal Phone Manager 10.8.1 software is vulnerable to an issue that allows for exfiltration of data over DNS. This could allow for exposed AdTran Personal Phone Manager web servers to be used as DNS redirectors to tunnel arbitrary data over DNS. The affected appliances NetVanta 7060 and NetVanta 7100 are considered End of Life and as such this issue will not be patched.
Understanding CVE-2021-25681
This section will dive into the details of the CVE-2021-25681 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-25681?
CVE-2021-25681 pertains to a vulnerability in the AdTran Personal Phone Manager 10.8.1 software that enables data exfiltration over DNS.
The Impact of CVE-2021-25681
The vulnerability enables threat actors to leverage exposed AdTran Personal Phone Manager web servers as DNS redirectors for unauthorized data transmission.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-25681
In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-25681 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in AdTran Personal Phone Manager 10.8.1 allows malicious actors to exfiltrate data over DNS, posing a significant security risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected systems include the AdTran Personal Phone Manager 10.8.1 software. Specifically, the NetVanta 7060 and NetVanta 7100 appliances are at risk.
Exploitation Mechanism
Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to use exposed AdTran Personal Phone Manager web servers as DNS redirectors to tunnel arbitrary data over DNS.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2021-25681, organizations and users can take the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Discontinue the use of affected AdTran Personal Phone Manager versions.
- Implement network monitoring to detect any anomalous DNS activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments to identify and mitigate risks proactively.
Patching and Updates
As the affected appliances, NetVanta 7060 and NetVanta 7100, are End of Life, users are advised to transition to newer, supported alternatives to ensure ongoing security.