CVE-2012-4399 in CakePHP
Summary
by MITRE
The Xml class in CakePHP 2.1.x before 2.1.5 and 2.2.x before 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via XML data containing external entity references, aka an XML external entity (XXE) injection attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-4399 represents a critical XML external entity injection flaw within the CakePHP web application framework. This weakness exists in versions 2.1.x prior to 2.1.5 and 2.2.x prior to 2.2.1, where the Xml class fails to properly sanitize XML data containing external entity references. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the application's XML parsing functionality and gain unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 category, which specifically addresses XML external entity injection attacks that can lead to information disclosure, denial of service, and potentially remote code execution depending on the server configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the CakePHP application processes XML input through its Xml class without adequate validation or sanitization of external entity declarations. When malicious XML data containing external entity references is parsed, the application resolves these references and may inadvertently expose sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files. The attack vector typically involves crafting XML payloads that reference external entities pointing to local files, leveraging the XML parser's ability to resolve these references during processing. This behavior aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes the exploitation of XML external entity injection to access sensitive data.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4399 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to extract sensitive system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. Organizations using affected CakePHP versions face significant risk of data breaches, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access application configuration files, database connection details, and other sensitive information stored on the server. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that process user-supplied XML data, making it a critical concern for any system that relies on XML parsing functionality. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where sensitive data is frequently processed through XML interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected CakePHP versions to 2.1.5 or 2.2.1 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes to prevent external entity resolution during XML parsing. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization for all XML data processing, ensuring that external entity declarations are either disabled or properly validated. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious XML patterns, conducting regular security assessments of XML processing components, and establishing proper access controls to limit file system access for web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper XML parser configuration, as outlined in industry standards for preventing XXE attacks and maintaining application security posture.