CVE-2013-4295 in Shindig
Summary
by MITRE
The gadget renderer in Apache Shindig 2.5.0 for PHP allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an XML document containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4295 resides within Apache Shindig 2.5.0 for PHP, specifically within its gadget renderer component. This issue represents a classic XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability that exploits the improper handling of XML documents containing external entity declarations. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that can trigger unauthorized data access through entity references, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this version of the Shindig framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the gadget renderer's insufficient validation and sanitization of XML input. When processing XML documents, the system fails to properly restrict external entity resolution, enabling attackers to define external entities that reference sensitive files or network resources. The combination of external entity declarations with entity references creates a pathway for information disclosure attacks where attackers can access local files, internal network services, or other sensitive data that should remain protected from external access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to organizations deploying Apache Shindig 2.5.0 for PHP, particularly in environments where gadgets are processed from untrusted sources. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including server-side request forgery, denial of service conditions, and privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this weakness from outside the network perimeter without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories. Organizations utilizing this framework should immediately implement mitigations including disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing strict input validation, and applying the vendor-provided patches. The recommended remediation involves updating to a patched version of Apache Shindig or implementing XML parser configurations that prevent external entity resolution entirely to eliminate this attack vector and protect against similar XXE vulnerabilities in other components.