CVE-2017-7465 in JBoss EAP
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that the JAXP implementation used in JBoss EAP 7.0 for XSLT processing is vulnerable to code injection. An attacker could use this flaw to cause remote code execution if they are able to provide XSLT content for parsing. Doing a transform in JAXP requires the use of a 'javax.xml.transform.TransformerFactory'. If the FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING feature is set to 'true', it mitigates this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7465 represents a critical code injection flaw within the Java XML Processing (JAXP) implementation of Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 7.0. This vulnerability specifically affects XSLT processing capabilities and exposes systems to remote code execution risks when malicious XSLT content is processed. The flaw resides in how the JAXP transformer factory handles XSLT transformations, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages standard XML processing mechanisms that are commonly used in enterprise applications for data transformation and document manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and secure processing controls within the JAXP framework. When an application processes XSLT transformations through the javax.xml.transform.TransformerFactory interface, the system fails to adequately sanitize or restrict potentially malicious XSLT content that could contain embedded code execution directives. This weakness allows attackers to craft specially crafted XSLT documents that, when processed, can trigger unintended code execution on the target system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: XSLT Transformation," highlighting the exploitation pathway through XML transformation mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7465 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects applications that rely on JAXP for XSLT processing, which is common in enterprise environments where XML transformation is used for data integration, report generation, and document formatting. Organizations using JBoss EAP 7.0 with XSLT processing capabilities are at significant risk, particularly those handling untrusted XML content or user-supplied data that undergoes transformation.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability centers around enabling the FEATURE_SECURE_PROCESSING feature within the JAXP transformer factory implementation. When this feature is set to true, it enforces stricter security controls that prevent the execution of potentially malicious code during XSLT processing. Organizations should ensure that all applications utilizing JAXP for XSLT transformations implement this security feature immediately. Additional protective measures include input validation for XSLT content, restricting external entity references, and implementing proper access controls for XML processing components. System administrators should also consider upgrading to patched versions of JBoss EAP 7.0 or applying the relevant security patches provided by Red Hat. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper security configuration in enterprise application frameworks, emphasizing that default configurations may not provide adequate protection against sophisticated attack vectors targeting XML processing components.