CVE-2014-8924 in License Metric Tool
Summary
by MITRE
The server in IBM License Metric Tool 7.2.2 before IF15 and 7.5 before IF24 and Tivoli Asset Discovery for Distributed 7.2.2 before IF15 and 7.5 before IF24 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or send TCP requests to intranet servers via XML data containing an 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 • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8924 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within IBM License Metric Tool and Tivoli Asset Discovery for Distributed software versions. This security weakness stems from the improper handling of XML data processing where the affected applications fail to adequately validate or sanitize external entity declarations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes XML input that contains external entity references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's XML parser configuration. The XXE vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate how the application interprets XML data, potentially leading to unauthorized access to internal resources and data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted XML payloads that include external entity declarations. When an attacker sends malformed XML data to the vulnerable server, the XML parser attempts to resolve external entities, which can result in the server reading arbitrary files from the local filesystem or making TCP connections to internal network services. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to access sensitive information stored on the server or perform reconnaissance activities against internal systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can facilitate further attacks by allowing access to internal network resources that would otherwise be protected by firewalls and network segmentation.
The operational implications of CVE-2014-8924 are severe for organizations deploying affected IBM software solutions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to internal systems, potentially compromising entire network infrastructures if the vulnerable servers are not properly isolated. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM's license management and asset discovery tools, suggesting a widespread impact across enterprise environments that rely on these platforms for compliance and inventory management. Organizations using these tools may unknowingly expose sensitive licensing data, system configurations, and potentially proprietary information stored on the affected servers. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform service discovery and network mapping activities, as the XXE exploit can trigger TCP requests to internal services that would normally be inaccessible from external networks.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on implementing proper XML parser configurations and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should disable external entity resolution in XML parsers and implement strict input sanitization procedures to prevent the processing of untrusted XML data. The recommended approach involves configuring XML parsers to reject external entity declarations and references, which directly addresses the root cause of the XXE vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to vulnerable systems and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also apply the vendor-provided patches and updates as soon as they become available, as IBM has released fixes for this specific vulnerability in subsequent software releases. The mitigation strategy aligns with the CWE-611 weakness classification, which specifically addresses the improper restriction of XML external entity references, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the exploitation of external entity injection vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the software stack.