CVE-2015-0254 in WebLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Standard Taglibs before 1.2.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or conduct external XML entity (XXE) attacks via a crafted XSLT extension in a (1) or (2) JSTL XML tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0254 affects Apache Standard Taglibs version 1.2.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or conduct external XML entity attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the JSTL XML processing functionality within the Apache Standard Taglibs library, which is commonly used in Java-based web applications for XML processing and presentation layer operations. The flaw exists in how the library handles XSLT extensions and XML entity processing, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation that can compromise the underlying application server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the XML processing components of Apache Standard Taglibs. When applications process XML data through JSTL XML tags, the library fails to properly restrict external entity references and XSLT extension handling, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that can reference external resources or execute arbitrary code on the server. This issue manifests when the library processes XML documents that contain specially crafted XSLT extensions, enabling attackers to leverage XML external entity processing to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically impacts the XML parsing and transformation functionality, where the XSLT processor does not adequately sanitize user-provided XML data before processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0254 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform various malicious activities including arbitrary code execution, information disclosure, and denial of service attacks against vulnerable applications. The flaw can be exploited through multiple attack vectors, specifically targeting both JSTL XML tag processing and XSLT extension handling mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process untrusted XML data from users or external sources. Organizations running affected versions of Apache Standard Taglibs are at significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential complete system compromise, especially in environments where the library is used for processing sensitive user data or business-critical information.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2015-0254 requires immediate upgrading to Apache Standard Taglibs version 1.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XXE and code execution vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications utilizing affected versions of the library and implement immediate patching procedures across the enterprise. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for XML data processing, configuring XML parsers to disable external entity resolution, and employing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious XML processing requests. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous XML processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a significant risk under ATT&CK framework category T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) techniques, emphasizing the importance of proper XML processing security controls in enterprise web applications.