CVE-2017-1149 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 6.0, 6.1, and 6.2 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. IBM X-Force ID: 122202.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1149 affects IBM UrbanCode Deploy versions 6.0, 6.1, and 6.2, representing a critical XML External Entity Injection flaw that fundamentally compromises the system's security posture. This issue arises from insufficient input validation within the XML processing mechanisms of the UrbanCode Deploy platform, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted XML payloads. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize external entity references during XML parsing operations, allowing attackers to inject malicious entities that can be resolved by the underlying XML parser. Such a flaw directly aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes external entity injection vulnerabilities as a serious concern in XML processing systems, particularly when these systems handle untrusted input from remote sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass significant data exposure risks and resource exhaustion attacks. An attacker exploiting this XXE vulnerability can leverage the XML parser's capabilities to access local files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, credentials, or system information that should remain confidential. The vulnerability's potential for memory exhaustion represents a particularly dangerous aspect, as it can lead to complete system unavailability through resource depletion attacks. This behavior aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of resource exhaustion, where adversaries consume system resources to prevent legitimate use of services. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where the UrbanCode Deploy servers are exposed to external networks.
The security implications of CVE-2017-1149 are profound for organizations relying on IBM UrbanCode Deploy for application deployment and management operations. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to deployment artifacts, sensitive configuration files, and potentially other systems within the deployment environment. The combination of information disclosure and denial of service capabilities means that organizations could face both data breaches and operational disruptions simultaneously. This vulnerability particularly impacts DevOps environments where UrbanCode Deploy serves as a central deployment orchestration platform, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire software delivery pipeline. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many deployment systems are configured to process XML data from various sources, including integration points with other systems, making the exploitation vector more accessible to potential attackers. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also prioritizing immediate patching of affected systems to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all external input in enterprise deployment platforms, particularly those handling sensitive operational data and configuration information.