CVE-2015-5068 in Mobile Platform
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in SAP Mobile Platform 3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or possibly have other unspecified impact via a crafted XML request, aka SAP Security Note 2159601.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The CVE-2015-5068 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within SAP Mobile Platform 3 that exposes organizations to significant remote attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically affects the platform's handling of XML requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted XML payloads that reference external entities. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of XML external entity processing issues, which are classified as CWE-611 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework and are commonly associated with XXE attack patterns in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Server-Side Request Forgery." The flaw enables attackers to manipulate how the system processes XML data, potentially allowing them to access sensitive files on the underlying filesystem or trigger other unspecified impacts that could compromise system integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the SAP Mobile Platform 3 application fails to properly sanitize or validate XML input received from remote clients. When processing XML requests that contain external entity declarations, the system does not adequately restrict access to external resources, allowing attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that reference local files or network resources. This misconfiguration enables the XML parser to resolve external entities and potentially read arbitrary files from the system, including configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive data stored within the platform's environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can send crafted XML requests to the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5068 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that compromise the entire platform infrastructure. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could access sensitive system information, extract database credentials, or obtain configuration details that could lead to further exploitation opportunities. The unspecified nature of additional impacts suggests potential for privilege escalation, denial of service conditions, or even remote code execution depending on the specific system configuration and available resources. Organizations running SAP Mobile Platform 3 are particularly vulnerable since this flaw affects the core processing capabilities of the platform, potentially compromising all applications and services that rely on the mobile platform for their operations. The vulnerability also creates risks for data integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially disrupt platform operations or manipulate data through the exploited XML processing mechanisms.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address CVE-2015-5068, beginning with immediate patching as provided by SAP in their Security Note 2159601. System administrators should disable external entity processing in all XML parsers within the platform and implement strict input validation for all XML data received by the system. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the vulnerable platform components, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns or attempts to access restricted resources. The implementation of XML schema validation and the use of secure XML processing libraries that disable external entity resolution are critical defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of SAP Mobile Platform 3 deployments and ensure that proper access controls and network security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented mitigations and to identify any potential bypass mechanisms that attackers might employ.