CVE-2014-6302 in Sequence Kinetics
Summary
by MITRE
The Monitoring Administration pages in PNMsoft Sequence Kinetics before 7.7 allow remote attackers 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 • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6302 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within the Monitoring Administration pages of PNMsoft Sequence Kinetics software versions prior to 7.7. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of XML input processing, specifically within the administrative monitoring interfaces that are accessible remotely. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the XML parser's behavior by crafting specially formatted XML requests that include external entity declarations, which can then be leveraged to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects administrative pages that typically contain sensitive operational data and configuration information.
The technical implementation of this XXE vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize XML input received through the monitoring administration interfaces. When the system processes XML requests containing external entity declarations, it does not adequately restrict the resolution of external entities, allowing attackers to reference local files through entity references. This occurs because the XML parser is configured to resolve external entities without proper restrictions, enabling attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that can traverse the file system and retrieve sensitive data such as configuration files, database credentials, or other administrative information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity reference, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as it allows unauthorized access to stored administrative data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential for further exploitation and system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files that may contain database connection strings, encryption keys, or other critical system information. The administrative nature of the affected pages means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with insights into system architecture and operational procedures, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files could expose sensitive business data or system logs that may contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or other confidential data, leading to compliance violations and potential legal consequences.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to PNMsoft Sequence Kinetics version 7.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XXE vulnerability. System administrators should also configure XML parsers to disable external entity resolution and implement proper input validation for all XML processing components. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit access to administrative monitoring pages to authorized personnel only. The implementation of web application firewalls with XXE detection capabilities can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or XML processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential XXE vulnerabilities in their application environments and ensure that all XML processing components follow secure coding practices as recommended in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security.