CVE-2014-5214 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
nps/servlet/webacc in iManager in the Administration Console server in NetIQ Access Manager (NAM) 4.x before 4.0.1 HF3 allows remote authenticated novlwww users to read arbitrary files via a query parameter containing an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2014-5214 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw discovered in NetIQ Access Manager's Administration Console server. This issue affects versions 4.x prior to 4.0.1 HF3 and specifically targets the nps/servlet/webacc component within the iManager subsystem. The vulnerability enables remote authenticated attackers with novlwww user privileges to perform arbitrary file reads through carefully crafted XML external entity declarations combined with entity references. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of XML processing within the web application's servlet interface, creating a pathway for attackers to access sensitive system files that should remain protected.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector involving XML external entity processing. When an authenticated user submits a query parameter containing malicious XML content with external entity declarations, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before processing. The XML parser within the servlet environment interprets the external entity references and attempts to resolve them, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that can be read from the server's file system. This XXE vulnerability is classified under CWE-611 as an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1592.001 for Initial Access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive configuration files, credential stores, and other system resources that could lead to further compromise of the administration console. Attackers could potentially extract system configuration details, user credentials, or other sensitive data that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators. The fact that this vulnerability requires only authenticated access with novlwww privileges means that it could be exploited by users with relatively low-level permissions, potentially escalating their access within the system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying levels of access to the administration console.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for NetIQ Access Manager version 4.0.1 HF3, which addresses the XXE processing issue through proper input sanitization and XML parser configuration. Mitigation strategies should include implementing strict XML validation controls, disabling external entity processing in all XML parsers, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious XML content. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of XML processing components within their systems to identify similar vulnerabilities, as XXE issues are common in web applications that handle XML input from users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for security-conscious development practices that prevent XML external entity processing in applications that do not require such functionality.