CVE-2014-8316 in BusinessObjects Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in polestar_xml.jsp in SAP BusinessObjects Explorer 14.0.5 build 882 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the xmlParameter parameter in an explorationSpaceUpdate request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The CVE-2014-8316 vulnerability represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw in SAP BusinessObjects Explorer version 14.0.5 build 882. This vulnerability resides in the polestar_xml.jsp component and specifically affects the explorationSpaceUpdate request handling mechanism. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the application's XML parsing functionality by manipulating the xmlParameter parameter, thereby gaining unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the underlying system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-611, which specifically addresses XML External Entity processing vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure, denial of service, and potentially remote code execution depending on the system configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insecure XML parsing behavior within the SAP BusinessObjects Explorer application. When the application processes the xmlParameter parameter through the polestar_xml.jsp endpoint, it fails to properly validate or sanitize external entity references within the XML data. Attackers can craft malicious XML payloads that reference external entities pointing to local files or network resources, allowing them to extract sensitive information from the server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is accessible over the network. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML External Entity Processing and T1566 for malicious file execution through web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8316 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, database connection strings, user credentials, and other confidential data stored on the application server. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the SAP BusinessObjects environment, potentially exposing enterprise data to unauthorized access. Organizations using SAP BusinessObjects Explorer in production environments face significant risk, particularly when the application is deployed in cloud or hybrid environments where network exposure is high. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in scenarios where the application runs with elevated privileges or has access to critical business data repositories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8316 should focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening measures. SAP released security patches for this vulnerability in their regular update cycles, and organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all XML parameters can prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. Organizations should also consider disabling external entity processing in XML parsers and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious XML requests. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the SAP ecosystem. The remediation process should align with industry best practices outlined in standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-53 for secure application development and deployment practices.