CVE-2017-7545 in jbpmmigration
Summary
by MITRE
It was discovered that the XmlUtils class in jbpmmigration 6.5 performed expansion of external parameter entities while parsing XML files. A remote attacker could use this flaw to read files accessible to the user running the application server and, potentially, perform other more advanced XML eXternal Entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7545 resides within the XmlUtils class of jbpmmigration version 6.5, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized file access and potential escalation through XML external entity processing. This issue manifests when the application processes XML input containing external parameter entities, allowing malicious actors to exploit the parsing mechanism for unauthorized data retrieval. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the jbpmmigration tool is deployed and executed with elevated privileges, creating a significant attack surface for remote adversaries seeking to compromise the underlying application server environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper XML parsing practices within the XmlUtils component, which fails to properly sanitize or restrict external entity references during XML document processing. When the application encounters XML data containing external parameter entities, it automatically resolves and expands these references without adequate validation or access control measures. This behavior aligns with CWE-611, which classifies improper restriction of XML external entity reference as a critical weakness in XML processing implementations. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to construct malicious XML payloads that reference external entities pointing to local files accessible to the application server process, enabling unauthorized file reads and potential information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7545 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise through advanced XXE attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive files, configuration data, and potentially system resources that the application server process has access to. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where application servers often run with elevated privileges, providing attackers with access to sensitive organizational data. Additionally, this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for execution through XML external entity processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7545 should focus on immediate patching of the jbpmmigration component to version 6.5.1 or later, which addresses the XML external entity processing flaw through proper input validation and entity restriction. Organizations should implement XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution entirely, particularly when processing untrusted input, aligning with security best practices from the OWASP XML Security Guidelines. Network-level controls such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious XML processing patterns, while application-level input sanitization should be implemented to prevent malicious XML payloads from reaching the vulnerable parsing components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other XML processing components throughout the application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against XXE vulnerabilities across the entire system landscape.