CVE-2015-1818 in JBoss BPM Suite
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the dashbuilder import facility (DocumentBuilders in org.jboss.dashboard.export.ImportManagerImpl) in Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite before 6.1.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, conduct server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks, and have other unspecified impact via a crafted XML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The CVE-2015-1818 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within the Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite 6.1.1 and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the dashbuilder import facility, which utilizes DocumentBuilders in the org.jboss.dashboard.export.ImportManagerImpl component to process incoming XML data. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of XML documents, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the XML parsing process through carefully crafted external entity declarations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, which specifically addresses XML External Entity processing without proper restrictions, making it a prime target for various exploitation techniques.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability enables remote attackers to perform multiple harmful operations through a single malicious XML payload. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or application data. Additionally, the vulnerability facilitates server-side request forgery attacks where the vulnerable system can be coerced into making HTTP requests to internal or external systems, bypassing network segmentation and potentially enabling internal network reconnaissance. The unspecified other impacts suggest potential for additional attack vectors including denial of service conditions or privilege escalation depending on the execution context. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1190, which addresses Exploitation of Remote Services.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1818 extends beyond immediate data exfiltration and can severely compromise the overall security posture of organizations using affected JBoss BPM Suite versions. The ability to read arbitrary files exposes potential access to database connection strings, application secrets, and other sensitive configuration data that could lead to further system compromise. Server-side request forgery capabilities allow attackers to probe internal networks, potentially identifying additional vulnerable systems and expanding their attack surface. Organizations utilizing this suite may experience unauthorized access to business process management data, disruption of business operations, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite version 6.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XXE vulnerability. System administrators should also implement XML input validation controls, disable external entity processing in XML parsers, and configure proper network segmentation to limit potential attack impact. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities, implementing web application firewalls with XXE detection capabilities, and conducting regular security assessments of XML processing components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in preventing information disclosure and lateral movement attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and reduce the window of exposure to known vulnerabilities.