CVE-2014-4374 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
NSXMLParser in Foundation in Apple iOS before 8 allows attackers to read arbitrary files via XML data 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 • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4374 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within Apple iOS versions prior to 8.0, specifically affecting the NSXMLParser component in the Foundation framework. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization when processing XML data containing external entity declarations. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the XML parser by crafting specially formatted XML payloads that include external entity references, enabling unauthorized file access on the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard XML parsing operations, making it accessible to attackers who can manipulate XML data inputs in applications leveraging iOS's Foundation framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the NSXMLParser processes XML documents containing external entity declarations such as DOCTYPE declarations with ENTITY references. When an attacker crafts XML data with an external entity declaration that references a file path on the target system, the parser will attempt to resolve and read the specified file content. This behavior bypasses normal file access controls and permissions, allowing attackers to potentially access sensitive files including system configuration data, user credentials, or application-specific information. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, which falls under the broader category of XML processing security flaws that have been consistently identified as critical threats in web and mobile application security.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4374 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within mobile environments. Attackers can use this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from iOS devices, potentially gaining access to user data, application configuration files, or even system-level information that could aid in further exploitation. The vulnerability affects any iOS application that utilizes the Foundation framework's XML parsing capabilities, including enterprise applications, web services, and mobile apps that process XML data from untrusted sources. This makes the attack surface particularly broad, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including network-based attacks, malicious email attachments, or compromised web services that return XML responses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4374 primarily focus on updating affected iOS versions to 8.0 or later, where Apple implemented proper XML parsing restrictions and external entity handling. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation and sanitization of XML data, disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, and employing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of iOS applications that process XML data, ensuring that proper XML parser configurations are implemented to prevent external entity resolution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive data from compromised iOS devices through targeted attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious XML processing activities, particularly in enterprise environments where iOS devices handle sensitive corporate data.