CVE-2015-0252 in Xerces-C
Summary
by MITRE
internal/XMLReader.cpp in Apache Xerces-C before 3.1.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault and crash) via crafted XML data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0252 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Apache Xerces-C XML parser library. This issue affects versions prior to 3.1.2 and stems from improper handling of malformed XML data within the internal XMLReader.cpp component. The vulnerability manifests when the parser encounters specifically crafted XML input that triggers a segmentation fault, leading to application crashes and complete service unavailability. The flaw demonstrates the classic characteristics of a buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the XML parsing engine. When the XMLReader.cpp module processes malformed XML structures, it fails to properly validate the input data before attempting to parse and traverse the document tree. This failure results in the parser attempting to access invalid memory addresses or manipulate data structures in unexpected ways. The vulnerability specifically targets the parser's internal state management and memory allocation routines, where crafted XML elements and attributes can cause the parser to execute code paths that lead to segmentation faults. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, as the parser attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0252 extends far beyond simple application crashes, representing a significant threat to system availability and service integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform denial of service attacks against any system that relies on Apache Xerces-C for XML processing, including web applications, enterprise systems, and network infrastructure components. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can trigger these crashes from anywhere on the network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where XML processing is common. Systems utilizing this parser for validating user input, processing configuration files, or handling XML-based communications become immediately vulnerable to disruption, potentially affecting business operations and customer service availability.
Organizations relying on affected versions of Apache Xerces-C should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 3.1.2 or later. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating all systems and applications that utilize the vulnerable library to ensure proper input validation and memory handling. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed XML traffic patterns. Additionally, application developers should review their XML processing code to ensure proper error handling and input sanitization, implementing defensive programming practices that prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable parser components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Network Denial of Service, demonstrating how XML parsing vulnerabilities can be weaponized for service disruption attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls or web application firewalls that can filter malicious XML content before it reaches the vulnerable parser, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts.