CVE-2014-8590 in NetWeaver
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the Web Service Navigator in SAP NetWeaver Application Server (AS) Java allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2019
The CVE-2014-8590 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java's Web Service Navigator component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, specifically targeting improper restriction of XML external entity references. The flaw exists in how the system processes XML input when handling web service requests, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the XML parser's handling of external entities. Attackers can craft specially formatted requests that trigger the parser to resolve external references, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the XML processing pipeline of the Web Service Navigator. When the system receives XML data containing external entity declarations, it fails to properly restrict or disable the resolution of external references. This allows attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that reference local files on the server through protocols such as file:// or http://, enabling them to read sensitive system files, configuration data, or other protected resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the XML parsing layer, where legitimate web service operations are processed, making it difficult to distinguish between normal and malicious requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8590 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain deeper system access. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive files including database connection parameters, application configuration files, and other system artifacts that may contain credentials or other sensitive information. The vulnerability affects SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java environments, which are commonly used in enterprise settings for business application hosting, making the potential impact significant for organizations relying on these platforms. Additionally, the attack surface is broad since the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web service interfaces, requiring minimal privileges to initiate the attack.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves configuring the XML parser to disable external entity resolution entirely, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories. System administrators should also implement strict input validation and sanitization policies for all XML processing components, ensuring that external entity declarations are rejected or properly escaped. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to vulnerable web service endpoints, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts. SAP released patches and updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations must ensure these are applied promptly to maintain system integrity and prevent exploitation. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the security measures do not inadvertently break legitimate business functionality while effectively mitigating the XXE attack vector.