CVE-2011-1425 in XML Security Library
Summary
by MITRE
xslt.c in XML Security Library (aka xmlsec) before 1.2.17, as used in WebKit and other products, when XSLT is enabled, allows remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via vectors involving the libxslt output extension and a ds:Transform element during signature verification.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1425 represents a critical file system manipulation flaw within the XML Security Library commonly known as xmlsec. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.2.17 and has significant implications for web browsers and applications that rely on XML signature verification processes. The flaw exists in the xslt.c component of the library and becomes exploitable when XSLT processing is enabled during signature verification operations. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the file system by creating or overwriting arbitrary files through carefully crafted XML documents that leverage the libxslt output extension functionality.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the XML signature processing pipeline. When the xmlsec library processes XML documents containing ds:Transform elements, it fails to properly validate the destination paths for output operations. This oversight occurs during the XSLT transformation phase where the library attempts to write transformed output to files. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious XML signatures that include specially constructed ds:Transform elements with XSLT output extensions pointing to arbitrary file paths on the target system. The vulnerability manifests because the library does not adequately restrict or validate the file system paths that can be specified in these transformation operations, allowing attackers to specify absolute paths or manipulate relative paths to overwrite critical system files or create malicious files in sensitive locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system manipulation to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios. When exploited in web browser contexts like WebKit, this vulnerability could enable attackers to overwrite system binaries, configuration files, or other critical components that are accessible to the application process. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate XML processing functionality that is commonly enabled in web applications and enterprise systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal and file system manipulation pattern that aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) classifications. In the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving file system access and privilege escalation through malicious input processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1425 require immediate application of the vendor-provided security patches that address the specific file system path validation issues in xmlsec library versions prior to 1.2.17. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems, particularly those running WebKit-based browsers or applications that utilize xmlsec for XML signature processing. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for XML documents, disabling XSLT processing where it is not required, and employing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious file system activity in applications that process XML signatures, particularly around the creation or modification of files in system directories or locations where sensitive files are stored. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and path sanitization in security-critical libraries, emphasizing that even legitimate functionality can become a security risk when proper validation controls are not implemented.