CVE-2011-1280 in SQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
The XML Editor in Microsoft InfoPath 2007 SP2 and 2010; SQL Server 2005 SP3 and SP4 and 2008 SP1, SP2, and R2; SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) 2005; and Visual Studio 2005 SP1, 2008 SP1, and 2010 does not properly handle external entities, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted .disco (Web Service Discovery) file, aka "XML External Entities Resolution Vulnerability."
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1280 represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw that affects multiple Microsoft products including InfoPath 2007 SP2 and 2010, SQL Server 2005 SP3 and SP4, SQL Server 2008 SP1, SP2, and R2, SQL Server Management Studio Express 2005, and Visual Studio 2005 SP1, 2008 SP1, and 2010. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, specifically addressing improper restriction of XML external entity reference processing, which is a well-documented security concern in XML parsing implementations. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the XML parser's handling of external entities through crafted .disco files, which are used for web service discovery in Microsoft's ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the XML parser's failure to properly validate or restrict external entity references during document processing. When these applications process a maliciously crafted .disco file containing external entity declarations, the parser attempts to resolve these entities by accessing external resources. This behavior allows attackers to construct payloads that can read arbitrary files from the local filesystem or network resources, effectively bypassing normal access controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate web service discovery mechanism that applications use to locate and connect to remote services, making the attack vector appear benign and trustworthy to both the application and network monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Microsoft product lines, creating widespread exposure for organizations that utilize these tools in their development and database management workflows. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, database connection strings, credential files, and other confidential information stored on the target systems. The attack requires only the ability to deliver a malicious .disco file to a victim system, which can be accomplished through various means including phishing emails, compromised web services, or malicious file sharing. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where these Microsoft products are used for database administration, web service integration, and enterprise application development, where the potential for data exfiltration is significant.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patch deployment for all affected Microsoft products, network segmentation to limit access to critical systems, and implementation of strict file validation policies for incoming XML content. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities and implementing proper XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of remote services and privilege escalation through information disclosure, with potential for lateral movement once initial access is achieved. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting the ability of users to process untrusted XML content, particularly in development environments where these tools are commonly used. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in XML processing components, emphasizing that even legitimate application features can become attack vectors when not properly secured against malicious input.