CVE-2014-8790 in GetSimple
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in admin/api.php in GetSimple CMS 3.1.1 through 3.3.x before 3.3.5 Beta 1, when in certain configurations, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the data parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2024
The CVE-2014-8790 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw in GetSimple CMS versions 3.1.1 through 3.3.x before 3.3.5 Beta 1. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, which specifically addresses XML external entity processing vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure and denial of service conditions. The flaw exists within the admin/api.php component of the content management system, making it particularly dangerous as it targets administrative interfaces that typically contain sensitive system information and configuration data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes XML data without proper validation or sanitization of external entity references. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious XML payloads that include external entity declarations in the data parameter sent to the admin/api.php endpoint. When the system processes these requests, it resolves the external entity references, potentially allowing remote attackers to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. This occurs because the XML parser is configured to resolve external entities, enabling attackers to reference local files through protocols like file:// or http:// that can be processed by the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive system information that could include database credentials, configuration files, user data, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability affects a wide range of GetSimple CMS installations, particularly those configured in ways that process user-supplied XML data through the administrative API endpoint. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on GetSimple CMS for their websites, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the affected systems reside.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward, requiring only that an attacker can submit data to the vulnerable admin/api.php endpoint through the data parameter. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various means including web forms, API endpoints, or other input mechanisms that accept XML data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as exploitation typically involves gaining access to administrative interfaces and potentially leveraging legitimate user credentials to maximize impact. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling external entity processing in XML parsers, implementing proper input validation, and restricting access to administrative endpoints through network segmentation and authentication controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8790 should include updating to GetSimple CMS version 3.3.5 Beta 1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XXE vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement XML parser security configurations that disable external entity processing and DTD (Document Type Definition) resolution. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to filter suspicious XML content and monitor for patterns consistent with XXE attacks. Input validation and sanitization measures should be implemented at all entry points that process XML data, ensuring that any external entity references are properly handled or rejected. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure, as XXE vulnerabilities are commonly found in web applications that process XML data without proper security controls.