CVE-2014-3481 in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
org.jboss.as.jaxrs.deployment.JaxrsIntegrationProcessor in Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (JEAP) before 6.2.4 enables entity expansion, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3481 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform's JAX-RS integration processor. This vulnerability exists in Red Hat JEAP versions prior to 6.2.4 and specifically affects the org.jboss.as.jaxrs.deployment.JaxrsIntegrationProcessor component. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit entity expansion mechanisms within XML processing, creating a pathway for remote file access through unspecified attack vectors. The XXE vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper handling of external entity references in XML documents processed by the affected JAX-RS deployment processor. This weakness allows attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that can trigger unwanted file system interactions when the application processes incoming XML data through the JAX-RS framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the processor's failure to properly restrict XML entity expansion during document parsing operations. When the JaxrsIntegrationProcessor encounters XML content containing external entity references, it does not adequately validate or sanitize these references before processing. This behavior creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can craft XML documents that reference local files on the server through entity expansion techniques. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (External Remote Services) as it enables attackers to access system resources remotely through malformed XML processing. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where JAX-RS endpoints process untrusted XML input from external sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3481 extends beyond simple file reading capabilities, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can access sensitive files stored on the application server, including configuration files, database credentials, and application-specific data that may contain confidential information. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web service requests, file uploads, or any XML processing endpoint that utilizes the affected JAX-RS integration component. Depending on the server configuration and file permissions, successful exploitation could result in data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or even remote code execution if sensitive system files are accessible. The vulnerability affects organizations running JEAP versions 6.2.3 and earlier, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments that have not yet applied the necessary security patches. Organizations using this platform for critical business operations face potential exposure to data breaches and regulatory compliance violations due to the unauthorized access capabilities this vulnerability provides.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3481 primarily focus on applying the vendor-supplied security patches and implementing proper XML processing configurations. Red Hat released JEAP 6.2.4 and subsequent versions that address this vulnerability through enhanced XML entity validation and proper restriction of external entity expansion. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions and ensure all JAX-RS endpoints properly validate and sanitize XML input. Additional protective measures include implementing XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution, configuring proper input validation at all XML processing points, and establishing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable endpoints. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious XML processing patterns and anomalous file access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper XML security practices and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP XML External Entity Prevention Cheat Sheet. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all potentially affected components and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to prevent similar issues in the future.