CVE-2010-1632 in Axis2
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Axis2 before 1.5.2, as used in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0 through 7.0.0.12, IBM Feature Pack for Web Services 6.1.0.9 through 6.1.0.32, IBM Feature Pack for Web 2.0 1.0.1.0, Apache Synapse, Apache ODE, Apache Tuscany, Apache Geronimo, and other products, does not properly reject DTDs in SOAP messages, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, send HTTP requests to intranet servers, or cause a denial of service (CPU and memory consumption) via a crafted DTD, as demonstrated by an entity declaration in a request to the Synapse SimpleStockQuoteService.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1632 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Axis2 versions prior to 1.5.2 that affects numerous enterprise middleware products including IBM WebSphere Application Server and various Apache projects. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of Document Type Definitions (DTDs) within SOAP messages, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the underlying system through malformed XML processing. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes SOAP requests containing crafted DTD elements, particularly entity declarations that can be leveraged to perform unauthorized operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the XML parsing behavior within Axis2's SOAP message processing framework. When a DTD is present in an incoming SOAP message, the system fails to properly validate or reject the DTD content, allowing attackers to include malicious entity declarations that can trigger several types of attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the way the system handles external entity references and internal entity expansions within DTD structures. This weakness enables attackers to construct specially crafted SOAP requests that contain malicious DTD declarations, which can then be processed by the vulnerable Axis2 implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing information disclosure, remote code execution capabilities, and denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the target system, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or application data. The vulnerability also enables attackers to send HTTP requests to intranet servers, effectively using the compromised Axis2 service as a pivot point for internal network reconnaissance and exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to consume excessive CPU and memory resources, leading to denial of service conditions that can disrupt legitimate service operations. The demonstration of this vulnerability through the Synapse SimpleStockQuoteService illustrates how easily an attacker can leverage this flaw in real-world scenarios.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and CWE-776, which addresses "Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference." The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability correspond to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1071 for "Application Layer Protocol" as attackers utilize SOAP protocols to deliver malicious payloads. The vulnerability's exploitation also maps to T1105 under "Command and Scripting Interpreter" when attackers attempt to read system files or perform unauthorized operations through the compromised service.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Apache Axis2 version 1.5.2 or later, which contains proper DTD validation and rejection mechanisms. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to SOAP endpoints, configuring firewalls to block suspicious XML content, and enabling strict XML parsing policies that disable external entity processing. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious SOAP message patterns and monitoring for unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper XML security configuration and demonstrates how seemingly benign parsing features can become critical attack vectors when not properly secured against malicious input.