CVE-2014-0119 in Communications Policy Management
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Tomcat before 6.0.40, 7.x before 7.0.54, and 8.x before 8.0.6 does not properly constrain the class loader that accesses the XML parser used with an XSLT stylesheet, which allows remote attackers to (1) read arbitrary files via a crafted web application that provides an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue, or (2) read files associated with different web applications on a single Tomcat instance via a crafted web application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0119 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Tomcat versions prior to specific patches, exposing systems to significant data exposure risks through improper class loader constraints. This vulnerability specifically targets the XML parser implementation within Tomcat's XSLT processing functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit XXE (XML External Entity) vulnerabilities. The flaw exists in the way Tomcat handles class loader access during XML parsing operations, particularly when processing XSLT stylesheets, which creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Tomcat's insufficient validation of external entity declarations when processing XML documents through XSLT transformations. Attackers can craft malicious web applications that include XML external entity declarations within their XML documents, which when processed by the vulnerable Tomcat instance can trigger unintended file access patterns. This occurs because the class loader used to access the XML parser does not properly restrict which classes or resources can be accessed during the parsing process, allowing attackers to manipulate the parsing behavior through carefully constructed XML payloads. The vulnerability manifests in two primary attack vectors: the first allows attackers to read arbitrary files on the server by exploiting XXE mechanisms, while the second enables cross-application file access within the same Tomcat instance, potentially allowing information leakage between different web applications running on the same server.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0119 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, system reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running affected Tomcat versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, application source code, database credentials, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where multiple applications share the same Tomcat instance, as it can enable attackers to access files belonging to other applications, potentially exposing sensitive business data or intellectual property. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) when attackers leverage the information gained to craft more targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0119 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of Apache Tomcat, specifically versions 6.0.40, 7.0.54, and 8.0.6 or later. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as disabling external entity processing in XML parsers, implementing proper input validation for all XML processing operations, and configuring appropriate class loader restrictions. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any web applications running on affected Tomcat versions and ensure that all XML processing within these applications is properly secured. Network segmentation and application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring for unusual file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource isolation in application servers and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of XML processing components within web application frameworks, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.