CVE-2013-3137 in FrontPage
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft FrontPage 2003 SP3 does not properly parse DTDs, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via crafted XML data in a FrontPage document, aka "XML Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3137 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft FrontPage 2003 Service Pack 3 that stems from improper handling of Document Type Definitions within XML parsing operations. This weakness specifically affects the FrontPage server extensions and web publishing components that process XML documents containing malformed or specially crafted DTD declarations. The vulnerability exists in the way FrontPage interprets and processes Document Type Definition elements within XML files, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to extract sensitive system information through carefully constructed XML data payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when FrontPage encounters malformed XML documents that contain crafted DTD references which trigger unintended information disclosure mechanisms within the application's XML parsing engine. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the parsing behavior in such a way that internal system details, configuration information, or other sensitive data becomes accessible through the response generated by the vulnerable FrontPage server extension. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper handling of information disclosure vulnerabilities within software applications. The parsing error manifests when FrontPage attempts to validate or process XML documents containing DTD elements that are not properly sanitized or validated by the application's XML processor.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data potentially exposed through this flaw could include system paths, configuration parameters, or other details that could aid in subsequent attack phases. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system environment, potentially identifying other weaknesses or vulnerabilities that exist within the broader attack surface. This information disclosure capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which involves discovering system information through reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability affects organizations using FrontPage 2003 SP3 in web publishing scenarios, particularly those running vulnerable server extensions that process XML content from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3137 should focus on immediate patch application through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor has provided specific fixes for this vulnerability within their security bulletin releases. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to FrontPage server extensions and XML processing capabilities where possible, particularly in environments where external input is not properly validated. Input sanitization and XML validation controls should be implemented to prevent malformed DTD elements from reaching the vulnerable parsing components. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns or attempts to access sensitive system information through FrontPage server extensions, as this vulnerability could serve as an initial reconnaissance step for more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader system infrastructure.