CVE-2016-8348 in SiteScan Web Version
Summary
by MITRE
An XML External Entity (XXE) issue was discovered in Emerson Liebert SiteScan Web Version 6.5, and prior. An attacker may enter malicious input to Liebert SiteScan through a weakly configured XML parser causing the application to execute arbitrary code or disclose file contents from a server or connected network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8348 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw in Emerson Liebert SiteScan Web Version 6.5 and earlier releases. This issue falls under the category of CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entities, making it a direct descendant of the well-known XXE attack vector. The vulnerability stems from the application's weakly configured XML parser that fails to properly validate or sanitize external entity references during XML document processing, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate the parsing behavior through crafted input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the SiteScan Web application processes XML data without adequate restrictions on external entity resolution. When an attacker crafts malicious XML input containing external entity declarations, the vulnerable parser will attempt to resolve these entities, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the server or unauthorized access to sensitive files within the network. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web forms, API endpoints, or file upload mechanisms where XML data is processed. The parser's insufficient configuration allows external references to resolve against internal network resources, potentially enabling attackers to access local files, perform server-side request forgery attacks, or even establish command execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential full system compromise capabilities within the targeted environment. Organizations using affected versions of Liebert SiteScan face significant risk of unauthorized access to critical infrastructure monitoring data, potential lateral movement within network segments, and possible complete system takeover. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to disruption of critical infrastructure monitoring services, unauthorized modification of configuration data, and exposure of sensitive operational information that could impact business continuity and security posture. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting industrial control systems and facility management environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8348 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to the latest available version of Emerson Liebert SiteScan Web that addresses the XXE vulnerability. Organizations must also implement proper XML parser configuration to disable external entity resolution and DTD processing, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from remote systems and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable application, implementation of web application firewalls with XXE detection capabilities, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly for applications processing XML data, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 2021 category A04:2021 - Insecure Design and the broader principles of secure software development lifecycle implementation.