CVE-2014-5392 in JobScheduler
Summary
by MITRE
XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in JobScheduler before 1.6.4246 and 7.x before 1.7.4241 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and read arbitrary files or directories via a request containing an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The CVE-2014-5392 vulnerability represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw affecting the JobScheduler software across multiple version ranges. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, specifically addressing insecure XML processing mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability exists in JobScheduler versions prior to 1.6.4246 and 7.x versions prior to 1.7.4241, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing these software versions. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate XML parsing processes through crafted requests containing external entity declarations, creating a pathway for both denial of service conditions and unauthorized data access.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability exploits the way JobScheduler processes XML input by failing to properly validate or restrict external entity references during XML parsing operations. When an attacker submits a malicious XML request containing external entity declarations, the system attempts to resolve these entities, potentially leading to arbitrary file reads or directory enumeration. This occurs because the XML parser does not adequately sanitize input or restrict access to local system resources, allowing attackers to reference external entities that point to sensitive files on the server. The entity reference mechanism in XML processing becomes a vector for information disclosure and system disruption when proper input validation is absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5392 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to include significant data exposure risks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially credentials stored in accessible locations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious file delivery and T1005 for data from local system. Organizations running affected JobScheduler versions face potential compromise of their automation workflows, as attackers could access job configurations, system logs, and other sensitive operational data. The denial of service component can disrupt critical business processes that depend on automated job scheduling, leading to operational downtime and potential financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5392 require immediate patching of affected JobScheduler installations to versions 1.6.4246 or later for the 1.6.x series and 1.7.4241 or later for the 7.x series. Organizations should implement XML parser configuration changes to disable external entity processing and DTD (Document Type Definition) loading entirely. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of JobScheduler endpoints to trusted networks only. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other systems that might be susceptible to similar XXE vulnerabilities, particularly those using XML processing libraries without proper input sanitization. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while eliminating the security risk.