CVE-2014-3530 in JBoss Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
The org.picketlink.common.util.DocumentUtil.getDocumentBuilderFactory method in PicketLink, as used in Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (JBEAP) 5.2.0 and 6.2.4, expands entity references, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary code and possibly have other unspecified impact via unspecified vectors, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3530 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw within the PicketLink library implementation in Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform versions 5.2.0 and 6.2.4. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of XML document parsing operations, specifically within the DocumentUtil.getDocumentBuilderFactory method which is responsible for constructing document builders for XML processing. The flaw manifests when the application processes XML input that contains entity references, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the parsing behavior through carefully crafted XML payloads. The vulnerability falls under the category of XML External Entity processing issues, which are categorized under CWE-611 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, and specifically relates to CWE-444 which addresses improper handling of XML external entities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the expansion of entity references during XML parsing operations, where the DocumentUtil class fails to properly configure the XML parser to disable external entity resolution. This misconfiguration allows attackers to reference external resources through entity declarations within XML documents, potentially enabling them to access local files, perform server-side request forgery attacks, or even execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive system resources, compromise the integrity of the application, and in some scenarios, provide a foothold for further exploitation within the target environment. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack surface may be broader than initially apparent, potentially affecting multiple application components that rely on XML processing functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability within JBoss Enterprise Application Platform environments is significant, as it affects core identity and access management functionality provided by PicketLink. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive authentication data, potentially compromising user credentials and system access controls. The vulnerability's presence in both JBEAP 5.2.0 and 6.2.4 versions indicates a widespread exposure across multiple platform releases, affecting organizations that rely on these application servers for enterprise identity management solutions. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML External Entity Processing, and may also map to T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack vector accessible from external networks. Organizations using affected versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized system access, and possible complete system compromise depending on the application's privileges and the nature of the data being processed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3530 should prioritize immediate patching of affected JBoss Enterprise Application Platform versions to the latest security releases provided by Red Hat. Organizations should also implement XML parser configuration hardening measures, specifically ensuring that external entity resolution is disabled through proper configuration of DocumentBuilderFactory instances. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to applications processing XML input, while input validation and sanitization should be strengthened to prevent malformed XML from reaching the vulnerable parsing components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential XXE vulnerabilities within the application stack. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering mechanisms to provide additional layers of protection against XML-based attacks, while maintaining comprehensive logging of XML processing activities for forensic analysis purposes.