Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
FlowDroid before 2.9.0 could expose local or external files when it processed an attacker-controlled XML source/sink definition file. The risk is mainly to teams running FlowDroid in analysis pipelines that accept untrusted definitions, not to typical public-facing systems.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority tooling risk. It should be remediated during normal vulnerability management, with faster action where FlowDroid processes untrusted project inputs or runs with access to sensitive files.
Technical view
CVE-2021-32754 is a CWE-611 XXE flaw in FlowDroid XML source/sink definition handling. Exploitation requires the XML-based format and attacker control over the source/sink definition file. The stated impact is confidentiality loss through file reads from external locations.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in developer, research, CI, or security analysis environments using FlowDroid versions earlier than 2.9.0 with XML source/sink definitions from users, repositories, or third parties.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The attack prerequisites are specific: XML source/sink format must be used, and the attacker must control that definition file.
Researcher notes
No CPEs were supplied in the bundle. Validate local package names and coordinates against FlowDroid usage. The available evidence supports affected versions before 2.9.0, confidentiality impact, and the vendor workaround only.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade FlowDroid to version 2.9.0 or later.
- Do not allow untrusted entities to control source/sink definition files.
- Inventory CI and analysis pipelines that run FlowDroid.
- Check the vendor advisory for any updated guidance.
Validation and detection
- Identify FlowDroid versions in dependency files, containers, and analysis tooling.
- Confirm whether XML source/sink definition files are used.
- Review who can submit or modify source/sink definition files.
- Verify FlowDroid is 2.9.0 or later, or untrusted control is blocked.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-611: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-32754 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.63.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.3MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/secure-software-engineering/FlowDroid/security/advisories/GHSA-39r7-275f-rvgwCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.