CVE-2016-0369 in Forms Experience Builder
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in IBM Forms Experience Builder 8.5, 8.5.1, and 8.6 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via crafted XML data. IBM X-Force ID: 112088.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0369 represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw within IBM Forms Experience Builder versions 8.5, 8.5.1, and 8.6. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 category of XML External Entity Processing and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to exploit the system's XML parser by submitting maliciously crafted XML data that references external entities. When the application processes this malformed input without proper validation, it can inadvertently disclose sensitive information from the underlying system or network resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insufficient sanitization of XML input streams. IBM Forms Experience Builder's XML processing engine fails to properly restrict external entity references during document parsing operations, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can construct XML payloads that trigger the retrieval of sensitive data. This occurs because the system does not adequately configure the XML parser to disable external entity resolution or to properly validate and sanitize incoming XML content. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access local files, internal network resources, or system information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potentially valuable reconnaissance data that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. Remote authenticated users with legitimate access credentials can craft XML requests that cause the application to reveal system paths, internal IP addresses, configuration files, or other sensitive artifacts. This information disclosure capability significantly weakens the overall security posture of systems running vulnerable versions of IBM Forms Experience Builder, as it provides attackers with insights into the application's architecture and internal environment structure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the XXE processing flaw. System administrators should also configure XML parsers to disable external entity resolution and implement strict input validation controls for all XML processing operations. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual XML processing patterns or attempts to access external resources can provide early warning capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper XML security configuration and highlights the need for regular security assessments of enterprise applications that handle external data inputs.