CVE-2014-5398 in Wonderware Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Schneider Electric Wonderware Information Server (WIS) Portal 4.0 SP1 through 5.5 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or cause a denial of service via an XML 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 • 11/01/2025
The CVE-2014-5398 vulnerability represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw discovered in Schneider Electric Wonderware Information Server (WIS) Portal versions 4.0 SP1 through 5.5. This vulnerability resides within the server's XML processing capabilities and enables remote attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted XML requests that contain external entity declarations. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes XML data that includes entity references, creating a pathway for unauthorized file access and system disruption. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-611 as an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, which directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, highlighting the potential for unauthorized data extraction through malformed XML processing.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious XML input containing external entity declarations that reference local files on the server. The system's failure to properly validate and sanitize XML input allows these entity references to be processed, potentially enabling attackers to read sensitive files from the server's file system. This includes accessing configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored locally. The vulnerability can also be leveraged to cause denial of service conditions by triggering resource exhaustion through recursive entity references or by consuming excessive system resources during XML parsing operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5398 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing affected Wonderware Information Server versions face significant risks including data breaches, intellectual property theft, and unauthorized access to critical industrial control systems. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service means that legitimate users may be unable to access the portal services, leading to operational downtime and potential safety risks in industrial environments where such systems are deployed. The flaw particularly affects industrial automation and control systems where Wonderware Information Server is commonly used for data management and visualization purposes, creating a cascading effect that could impact entire production processes. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software indicates a widespread exposure across affected deployments, making it a high-priority target for exploitation by threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5398 require immediate implementation of XML parser configuration changes and input validation measures. Organizations should disable external entity resolution in all XML processing components and implement strict input validation to prevent malformed XML from being processed. The recommended approach includes configuring XML parsers to reject external entity declarations and implementing proper access controls that limit file system access for XML processing components. Security patches and updates from Schneider Electric should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability at the source, as the vendor has released fixes specifically targeting this XXE issue. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected portal services, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious XML processing activities. Additionally, regular security assessments should include testing for XXE vulnerabilities in all XML processing components, and security awareness training should be provided to developers to prevent similar issues in custom applications that process XML data. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper XML processing security measures and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in industrial control systems.