CVE-2016-3027 in Security Access Manager For Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Web is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by an XML External Entity Injection (XXE) error when processing XML data. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to expose highly sensitive information or consume all available memory resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM Security Access Manager for Web contains a critical vulnerability that stems from improper handling of XML data processing, specifically manifesting as an XML External Entity Injection flaw. This vulnerability resides in the application's XML parser implementation where external entities are not adequately validated or restricted during XML document parsing operations. The flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious XML input that references external resources, enabling unauthorized access to internal systems and potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-611 which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity reference, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability that has been prevalent in web applications for many years. This XXE implementation creates a pathway for attackers to exploit the system through the XML processing layer, which is commonly used for authentication and authorization functions within security management systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it creates a potential information disclosure risk that could expose sensitive data stored within the security access manager environment. Attackers can leverage the XXE injection to access internal network resources, potentially gaining access to authentication credentials, user information, and other confidential data that the security manager is responsible for protecting. The memory consumption aspect of this vulnerability presents a particular concern as it can lead to complete system exhaustion, effectively rendering the security manager unavailable to legitimate users and administrators. This type of resource exhaustion attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, but the underlying mechanism is more sophisticated as it combines information disclosure with resource consumption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in security contexts because it targets the very system designed to protect against unauthorized access, creating a paradoxical situation where the security infrastructure becomes the attack vector.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who seek to disrupt security operations. The attack surface is broad as XML processing is commonly used throughout web applications for configuration management, user authentication, and data exchange between components. Security administrators should be particularly concerned about the potential for this vulnerability to be used in combination with other attacks, creating a multi-stage exploitation scenario that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that IBM Security Access Manager for Web is typically deployed in enterprise environments where it serves as a critical security control, making successful exploitation a significant threat to overall network security posture. Organizations using this software should consider the vulnerability in the context of their broader security architecture and assess whether other systems might be similarly affected by XXE vulnerabilities in their XML processing components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for security controls that prevent external entity resolution in XML parsers, which aligns with defense-in-depth principles recommended by various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards.