CVE-2015-2818 in Mobile Platform
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in SAP Mobile Platform 3 allows remote attackers to send requests to intranet servers via crafted XML, aka SAP Security Note 2125513.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2018
The CVE-2015-2818 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within SAP Mobile Platform 3 that enables remote attackers to exploit insecure XML parsing mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 category of XML External Entity Processing and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, as it allows unauthorized access to internal network resources through malformed XML requests. The flaw specifically affects the mobile platform's handling of XML data structures, creating a pathway for attackers to perform server-side request forgery attacks against internal systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way SAP Mobile Platform 3 processes incoming XML data without proper validation of external entity references. When the platform receives crafted XML payloads containing external entity declarations, it attempts to resolve these references against internal network resources, effectively allowing attackers to probe and potentially access services that should remain isolated from external networks. This occurs because the XML parser does not properly restrict access to external resources or implement proper entity resolution controls that would prevent such unauthorized network access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to map internal network topology, identify running services, and potentially gain access to sensitive internal resources that would otherwise be protected by network segmentation. The vulnerability specifically allows access to intranet servers, which could include database systems, application servers, or other critical internal components that are not directly exposed to the internet.
Organizations utilizing SAP Mobile Platform 3 should implement immediate mitigations including disabling external entity processing in XML parsers, implementing proper input validation for all XML data, and restricting network access to internal resources through proper firewall rules and network segmentation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the CWE guidelines for preventing XML external entity processing attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious XML traffic patterns and establish proper patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of SAP security notes and updates. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing of XML processing components to verify that external entity references are properly handled and that no unauthorized network access occurs during XML parsing operations.