CVE-2017-1000190 in SimpleXML
Summary
by MITRE
SimpleXML (latest version 2.7.1) is vulnerable to an XXE vulnerability resulting SSRF, information disclosure, DoS and so on.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000190 affects SimpleXML library version 2.7.1 and represents a critical server-side request forgery vulnerability stemming from improper XML external entity handling. This flaw resides within the XML parsing mechanism that fails to adequately sanitize external entity references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the parsing process and execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes XML input that contains external entity declarations, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary URLs or file paths that the parser will attempt to resolve and include in the processing flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic XXE exploitation pattern where the SimpleXML parser does not properly restrict access to external resources during XML document parsing. When an attacker crafts malicious XML content containing external entity references pointing to internal network resources or external servers, the parser will attempt to fetch and process these resources, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. This behavior creates multiple attack vectors including server-side request forgery where internal services can be accessed, information disclosure through file inclusion attacks, and potential denial of service conditions when processing malformed entities. The vulnerability specifically impacts the XML parsing functionality within the SimpleXML library, which is commonly used in various web applications and server-side processing environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure, potentially accessing sensitive files or services that should remain isolated from external access. The SSRF capability allows threat actors to make requests to internal systems that would normally be protected by firewalls or network segmentation, effectively turning the vulnerable application into a proxy for internal network scanning and exploitation. Information disclosure risks include access to local files, configuration data, or system resources that may contain authentication credentials, database connection strings, or other sensitive operational details. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged to create denial of service conditions by crafting XML entities that cause the parser to consume excessive system resources or enter infinite processing loops.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of SimpleXML, disabling external entity processing in XML parsers, and implementing strict input validation for all XML content. The CWE-611 weakness classification applies here as the vulnerability represents improper restriction of XML external entities, while ATT&CK framework mappings include T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be enforced to limit access to internal resources, while input sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent malicious XML content from reaching the vulnerable parsing components. Regular security assessments should verify that all XML processing components have been properly updated and that external entity handling has been disabled or properly restricted.