CVE-2015-1832 in Primavera Unifier
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the SqlXmlUtil code in Apache Derby before 10.12.1.1, when a Java Security Manager is not in place, allows context-dependent attackers to read arbitrary files or cause a denial of service (resource consumption) via vectors involving XmlVTI and the XML datatype.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2015-1832 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within Apache Derby's SqlXmlUtil code implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects Derby versions prior to 10.12.1.1 and operates under the premise that a Java Security Manager is not actively enforced within the runtime environment. The flaw manifests through XmlVTI (XML Virtual Table Interface) and the XML datatype processing capabilities, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's XML parsing mechanisms. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that successful exploitation requires specific environmental conditions, particularly the absence of proper security manager enforcement that would normally restrict file system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within Derby's XML processing routines. When the system processes XML data through XmlVTI or XML datatype operations, the SqlXmlUtil code fails to properly sanitize external entity references within XML documents. This allows attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that reference external entities, potentially leading to unauthorized file system access or resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability leverages the inherent capabilities of XML parsers to resolve external references, but Derby's implementation lacks proper restrictions on these operations, particularly when no security manager is present to enforce access controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for database systems running affected Derby versions. Attackers can potentially read arbitrary files from the database server's file system, including sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other confidential data. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions through resource consumption attacks, where malicious XML payloads can trigger excessive memory usage or CPU consumption. This dual nature of impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited for both data exfiltration and system disruption purposes. The risk is amplified in environments where Derby is used for web applications or services that process untrusted XML input from external sources.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-1832 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Apache Derby 10.12.1.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XXE vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper Java Security Manager configurations to restrict file system access and external entity resolution capabilities. The implementation of input validation and sanitization measures for XML processing operations can provide additional defensive layers. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, which is categorized under the OWASP Top Ten as a critical security risk. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands or escalate privileges through file system access. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual XML processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all XML input is properly validated and sanitized before processing.