CVE-2014-4769 in WebSphere Commerce
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Commerce 6.x through 6.0.0.11 and 7.x through 7.0.0.8 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files or send TCP requests to intranet servers 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 • 03/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4769 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within IBM WebSphere Commerce platforms, affecting versions 6.x through 6.0.0.11 and 7.x through 7.0.0.8. This security weakness stems from the application's improper handling of XML data containing external entity declarations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's XML parser. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes XML input that includes entity declarations, allowing attackers to reference external resources through the entity reference mechanism. This flaw exists in the core XML processing functionality of the commerce platform, where the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize XML input before parsing, thereby exposing the underlying system architecture to unauthorized access attempts.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to perform unauthorized file access operations and initiate TCP connections to internal network servers. When an XML payload contains an external entity declaration, the vulnerable system will attempt to resolve these entities by fetching content from specified external locations, potentially allowing attackers to read local files on the server or establish connections to intranet services that should remain isolated from external access. This capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to information disclosure, internal network reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement within the affected environment. The vulnerability operates at the XML parser level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional network segmentation controls and access resources that would normally be protected by firewall rules or network access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4769 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform reconnaissance on internal network infrastructure and potentially escalate their access to other systems. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct XML payloads that can read system files, access internal services, and gather sensitive information about the internal network topology. This capability significantly increases the attack surface for organizations using affected WebSphere Commerce versions, as it allows for the exploitation of internal resources without requiring direct network access to those systems. The vulnerability's presence in commerce platforms also raises concerns about potential exposure of customer data, transaction records, and other sensitive business information that may be accessible through the file reading capabilities. Organizations utilizing these versions face heightened risk of data breaches and compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive information through this vector.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the application of IBM security patches and updates specifically designed to address the XXE issue in WebSphere Commerce platforms. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing strict XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution and DTD processing, thereby preventing the exploitation of XXE vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation controls should be enhanced to limit access to internal systems and implement proper firewall rules that restrict communication between the commerce platform and internal services. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns and unauthorized file access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework category of T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as it enables attackers to perform network reconnaissance and service discovery against internal systems through the commerce platform's XML processing capabilities.