CVE-2017-6055 in eParakstitajs
Summary
by MITRE
XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in eParakstitajs 3 before 1.3.9 and eParaksts Java lib before 2.5.13 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted edoc file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The CVE-2017-6055 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw affecting the eParakstitajs 3 software and its associated eParaksts Java library. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 category, specifically addressing XML External Entity processing without proper restrictions. The flaw exists in versions prior to 1.3.9 of eParakstitajs and before 2.5.13 of the eParaksts Java library, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these document processing systems. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate XML parsing behavior through crafted edoc files, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this XXE vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the XML parser used by these applications. When processing specially crafted edoc files, the system fails to properly sanitize external entity references, enabling attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that can reference local files on the server filesystem. This misconfiguration allows the XML parser to resolve external entities, potentially reading sensitive files such as configuration data, database credentials, or system files that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these applications process untrusted document inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6055 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence phases. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct reconnaissance activities by accessing system files, potentially identifying other vulnerable components or gathering intelligence for further exploitation. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest the possibility of remote code execution or privilege escalation scenarios, depending on the system configuration and file access permissions. Organizations using these applications may experience data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruption when this vulnerability is successfully exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6055 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions 1.3.9 and 2.5.13 respectively, which contain proper XML entity handling and input validation. Security administrators should implement XML parser configuration changes to disable external entity resolution entirely, particularly for the XML libraries used by these applications. Network segmentation and input validation controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns or XML parsing activities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar XXE vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated configurations maintain application functionality while eliminating the security risk associated with external entity processing.