CVE-2013-1824 in PHP
Summary
by MITRE
The SOAP parser in PHP before 5.3.22 and 5.4.x before 5.4.12 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a SOAP WSDL file containing an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue in the soap_xmlParseFile and soap_xmlParseMemory functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1824 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within PHP's SOAP parser implementation. This security weakness exists in PHP versions prior to 5.3.22 and 5.4.12, specifically affecting the soap_xmlParseFile and soap_xmlParseMemory functions that handle SOAP WSDL file processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization when parsing XML content, allowing malicious actors to exploit the parser's handling of external entity declarations within WSDL files. The flaw enables attackers to craft specially crafted SOAP requests that include XML external entity declarations, which when processed by the vulnerable PHP SOAP parser, can trigger unintended file access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML external entity declarations within SOAP WSDL files. When a SOAP request containing such malicious XML is processed by the vulnerable PHP parser, the parser attempts to resolve external entity references, leading to unauthorized file system access. Attackers can leverage this mechanism to read arbitrary files on the server where the PHP application is hosted, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential data. The XXE attack vector specifically targets the XML parsing libraries used by PHP's SOAP implementation, bypassing normal access controls and file system restrictions that would typically prevent such unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1824 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks including local file inclusion, remote code execution, and denial of service conditions. Systems utilizing PHP SOAP services that process untrusted WSDL files become vulnerable to attacks that can compromise entire server environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications that expose SOAP endpoints to external clients, as it allows remote attackers to leverage the SOAP parser without requiring any special privileges or authentication. This makes the attack surface particularly broad for applications that rely on SOAP services for integration with external systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to PHP versions 5.3.22 or 5.4.12, which contain the necessary patches to address the XXE issue. Additionally, administrators should configure XML parsers to disable external entity processing and implement strict input validation for all SOAP requests. The mitigation strategies align with industry standards such as CWE-611, which categorizes XML External Entity Processing as a critical security weakness, and follows ATT&CK framework techniques related to exploitation of XXE vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to SOAP endpoints, while application-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that all PHP installations remain current with security patches and that proper XML parsing configurations are maintained across all environments.