CVE-2015-2471 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft XML Core Services 3.0, 5.0, and 6.0 supports SSL 2.0, which makes it easier for remote attackers to defeat cryptographic protection mechanisms by sniffing the network and conducting a decryption attack, aka "MSXML Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2434.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2022
The CVE-2015-2471 vulnerability affects Microsoft XML Core Services versions 3.0, 5.0, and 6.0 by enabling support for SSL 2.0 protocol implementation. This represents a significant security weakness as SSL 2.0 has been deprecated for over a decade due to numerous cryptographic vulnerabilities and weaknesses that make it susceptible to various attack vectors. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-310 category of Cryptographic Issues, specifically addressing weaknesses in cryptographic protocols and implementations. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to conduct network sniffing operations and perform decryption attacks that can compromise sensitive data transmitted through XML services. The attack surface is particularly concerning because XML Core Services is widely used across enterprise environments for processing and handling structured data, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to exploit weak cryptographic implementations.
The technical flaw stems from the inclusion of SSL 2.0 support within Microsoft XML Core Services, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-52 and RFC 6176 that explicitly recommend against implementing or supporting SSL 2.0 protocols. This vulnerability creates an attack path that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1071.004 for application layer protocol communication. The ability to sniff network traffic and conduct decryption attacks directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data processed by these XML services, potentially exposing sensitive information to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because SSL 2.0 contains known cryptographic weaknesses including insecure key exchange mechanisms and vulnerable encryption algorithms that can be exploited through man-in-the-middle attacks or passive network monitoring.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2471 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems relying on Microsoft XML Core Services for data processing. Organizations utilizing affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to compromised sensitive information. The vulnerability's relationship to the broader ATT&CK framework demonstrates how this weakness can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including credential theft and lateral movement within compromised networks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Framework's Credential Access and Defense Evasion tactics, where attackers can exploit weak cryptographic implementations to bypass security controls. The presence of SSL 2.0 support in enterprise XML processing services creates an inherent risk that can be exploited by threat actors with basic network monitoring capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly encrypted or monitored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2471 should focus on immediate deprecation of SSL 2.0 support within affected Microsoft XML Core Services implementations. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of affected systems, deploy network monitoring tools to detect and alert on SSL 2.0 protocol usage, and ensure that all XML processing services are updated to versions that do not support deprecated SSL protocols. The recommended approach aligns with NIST cybersecurity framework recommendations for reducing attack surfaces and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected XML Core Services versions and ensure proper configuration management practices are in place to prevent reintroduction of SSL 2.0 support through configuration changes or updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and avoiding deprecated protocols that have known security weaknesses.