CVE-2014-5177 in Enterprise Virtualization
Summary
by MITRE
libvirt 1.0.0 through 1.2.x before 1.2.5, when fine grained access control is enabled, allows local users to read arbitrary files via a crafted XML document containing an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference to the (1) virDomainDefineXML, (2) virNetworkCreateXML, (3) virNetworkDefineXML, (4) virStoragePoolCreateXML, (5) virStoragePoolDefineXML, (6) virStorageVolCreateXML, (7) virDomainCreateXML, (8) virNodeDeviceCreateXML, (9) virInterfaceDefineXML, (10) virStorageVolCreateXMLFrom, (11) virConnectDomainXMLFromNative, (12) virConnectDomainXMLToNative, (13) virSecretDefineXML, (14) virNWFilterDefineXML, (15) virDomainSnapshotCreateXML, (16) virDomainSaveImageDefineXML, (17) virDomainCreateXMLWithFiles, (18) virConnectCompareCPU, or (19) virConnectBaselineCPU API method, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. NOTE: this issue was SPLIT from CVE-2014-0179 per ADT3 due to different affected versions of some vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5177 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw in libvirt versions ranging from 1.0.0 through 1.2.x before 1.2.5. This security weakness specifically manifests when fine-grained access control is enabled within the libvirt virtualization management framework, creating a pathway for local attackers to exploit the system through crafted XML documents. The XXE vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and processing of external entity declarations within XML parsing operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the system's XML handling mechanisms to access unauthorized resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves multiple API methods within libvirt that process XML configuration data for various virtualization components including domains, networks, storage pools, and volumes. When a local user submits a specially crafted XML document containing external entity declarations, the libvirt daemon processes these entities without proper sanitization, enabling the attacker to reference arbitrary files on the system through entity references. This flaw affects seventeen distinct API methods that handle XML configuration data, including virDomainDefineXML for domain definitions, virNetworkCreateXML for network creation, and virStoragePoolDefineXML for storage pool configurations. The vulnerability specifically targets the XML parsing functionality where external entity resolution occurs, bypassing normal access controls and permissions mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5177 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables local privilege escalation and unauthorized data access within virtualized environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive files such as configuration data, authentication credentials, and system information that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. The flaw particularly affects systems where libvirt operates with elevated privileges, as local users can potentially access files that would otherwise be restricted. This vulnerability represents a significant risk in multi-tenant virtualization environments where isolation between different virtual machines and users is crucial for maintaining security boundaries.
Organizations implementing libvirt for virtualization management should prioritize immediate patching to address CVE-2014-5177, as the vulnerability affects a broad range of API methods and presents a substantial attack surface. The recommended mitigation includes upgrading to libvirt version 1.2.5 or later, which contains fixes specifically designed to prevent XML external entity processing without proper validation. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local access to libvirt interfaces, enabling strict XML parsing policies, and monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) when considering exploitation vectors through crafted XML files. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical systems and highlights the need for robust XML processing security measures in virtualization platforms.