CVE-2014-6212 in Emptoris Contract Management
Summary
by MITRE
The Echo API in IBM Emptoris Contract Management 9.5.x before 9.5.0.6 iFix11, 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.1 iFix12, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.5 iFix2, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.2 iFix5; Emptoris Sourcing 9.5 before 9.5.1.3 iFix2, 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.1 iFix1, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.3 iFix1, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.5; and Emptoris Program Management (aka PGM) and Strategic Supply Management (aka SSMP) 10.0.0.x before 10.0.0.3 iFix6, 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.4 iFix1, and 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.5 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files 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 • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6212 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within IBM Emptoris suite of contract management, sourcing, program management, and strategic supply management applications. This security weakness affects multiple versions of IBM's enterprise software products, specifically targeting the Echo API component that processes XML requests. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of XML entities, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's XML parser. The XXE vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate XML processing behavior by introducing external entity declarations that can reference local files on the server system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental XML parsing mechanisms within the affected IBM applications. When the Echo API receives XML input containing external entity declarations, the system fails to properly sanitize or restrict these references. Attackers can construct malicious XML payloads that include entity declarations referencing local files such as configuration files, database connection details, or system credentials. The entity reference mechanism then processes these declarations, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized users. This flaw operates at the parser level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional application-level security controls and can access files that the application normally cannot reach through standard API calls.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6212 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical business information. Remote authenticated users can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, potentially gaining access to database connection strings, application configuration files, and other sensitive system artifacts. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning given that it affects multiple product lines within IBM's Emptoris suite, including contract management, sourcing, program management, and strategic supply management applications. This widespread impact means that organizations using any of these platforms could be vulnerable to similar attacks. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, which makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users with appropriate credentials.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this XXE vulnerability, focusing on both application-level and infrastructure-level controls. The primary remediation involves updating all affected IBM Emptoris applications to the patched versions mentioned in the CVE description, specifically ensuring that all iFix releases are properly installed. Additionally, organizations should implement strict XML input validation and sanitization measures, including disabling external entity processing in XML parsers and implementing proper XML schema validation. Security teams should also consider network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious XML traffic patterns. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving data extraction and credential access through application vulnerabilities. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their entire IBM Emptoris deployment to identify any potential exposure and ensure that all patched versions have been properly applied. The remediation process must also include thorough testing to prevent disruption of legitimate business operations while addressing the security gap.