CVE-2014-5325 in Direct Web Remoting
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) DOMConverter, (2) JDOMConverter, (3) DOM4JConverter, and (4) XOMConverter functions in Direct Web Remoting (DWR) through 2.0.10 and 3.x through 3.0.RC2 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via DOM data containing an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5325 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw affecting Direct Web Remoting (DWR) versions up to 2.0.10 and 3.x through 3.0.RC2. This issue manifests across four distinct converter functions within the DWR framework, specifically DOMConverter, JDOMConverter, DOM4JConverter, and XOMConverter, which are responsible for processing XML data in web applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of XML content, allowing malicious actors to exploit the XML processing mechanisms to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it leverages the standard XML feature of external entity declarations, which can be manipulated to reference local files through the file:// protocol, thereby bypassing normal access controls and potentially exposing sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious XML data containing an external entity declaration that references local files on the target system. When the DWR framework processes this XML through any of the affected converter functions, the XML parser automatically resolves the external entity references, leading to unauthorized file access. This XXE vulnerability is classified under CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables adversaries to extract sensitive information from the target system. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, and the impact extends beyond simple file reading to potential information disclosure, system reconnaissance, and in some cases, privilege escalation depending on the file access permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5325 is substantial, as it can lead to complete system compromise when attackers gain access to sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on DWR for remote procedure calls and XML data processing, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where DWR is commonly used for AJAX functionality and web service integration. Organizations running affected versions of DWR are at risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for other potential exploits, as attackers can use the information gathered through this XXE attack to plan more sophisticated attacks against the same or related systems. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where DWR is integrated with other systems that may contain sensitive data or critical business logic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5325 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive configuration changes. Organizations should upgrade to DWR versions that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically versions beyond 3.0.RC2, where the XXE protections have been implemented. In cases where immediate upgrading is not feasible, defensive measures include disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing strict input validation for XML data, and configuring XML parsers to reject any XML content containing external entity declarations. The implementation of web application firewalls (WAFs) with XXE detection capabilities can provide additional protection layers. Security configurations should also include monitoring for unusual file access patterns and implementing principle of least privilege for XML processing components. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability affects organizations under regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss, which require robust protection of sensitive data and proper vulnerability management processes. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for security awareness training to prevent similar issues in custom XML processing code that may be present in applications beyond the core DWR framework.