CVE-2010-3260 in forms
Summary
by MITRE
oxf/xml/xerces/XercesSAXParserFactoryImpl.java in the xforms-server component in the XForms service in Orbeon Forms before 3.9 does not properly restrict DTDs in Ajax requests, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or send HTTP requests to intranet servers via an entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an "XML injection" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3260 resides within the xforms-server component of Orbeon Forms, specifically in the XercesSAXParserFactoryImpl.java file located at oxf/xml/xerces/. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that affects versions prior to 3.9 of the XForms service. The vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on Document Type Definitions (DTDs) during Ajax request processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit XML parsing mechanisms. The issue manifests as an XML injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to manipulate the XML parser's behavior through crafted entity declarations and references.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of DTD processing within the Xerces XML parser implementation used by Orbeon Forms. When processing Ajax requests containing XML data, the system fails to adequately sanitize or restrict DTD declarations, allowing attackers to define custom entities that can reference local files or make HTTP requests to internal network resources. This occurs because the parser does not properly enforce restrictions on external entity resolution, enabling attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that leverage XML External Entity (XXE) attack patterns. The vulnerability specifically targets the SAX parser factory implementation, which is responsible for creating parser instances that process incoming XML content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized file access and internal network reconnaissance. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or application data. Additionally, the vulnerability enables attackers to send HTTP requests to intranet servers, effectively bypassing network segmentation controls and potentially exposing internal systems to further exploitation. This capability allows for lateral movement within network environments and can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems, as unauthorized data access and potential command execution scenarios are possible.
The underlying cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, and relates to the broader category of XML injection vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers can leverage the XML parsing functionality to establish connections to internal services. The vulnerability also corresponds to T1082 - System Information Discovery and T1069.002 - Permission Groups Discovery, as attackers can gather information about the target system and network configuration through file access and HTTP request capabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Orbeon Forms version 3.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to restrict DTD processing and prevent unauthorized entity resolution. Additional protective measures include implementing strict XML parsing configurations that disable external entity resolution, network segmentation controls, and monitoring for suspicious XML processing patterns in web application logs.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2010-3260 requires immediate deployment of the patched Orbeon Forms version 3.9 or subsequent releases that address the DTD restriction issues. Organizations should also implement configuration changes to disable external entity resolution in XML parsers, particularly within the Xerces implementation. Network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for unusual patterns in XML processing and HTTP requests to internal services. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running vulnerable versions of Orbeon Forms and ensure all instances are properly updated. Regular security testing including XML injection vulnerability scans should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper XML processing controls and the potential for seemingly benign parsing functionality to create significant security risks when not properly secured.