CVE-2017-8316 in IDEA
Summary
by MITRE
IntelliJ IDEA XML parser was found vulnerable to XML External Entity attack, an attacker can exploit the vulnerability by implementing malicious code on both Androidmanifest.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8316 represents a critical security flaw in IntelliJ IDEA's XML parser implementation that exposes developers to significant risks through XML External Entity (XXE) attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the integrated development environment's handling of XML files, particularly when processing AndroidManifest.xml files which are fundamental components in android application development. The flaw allows malicious actors to craft specially designed XML content that can trigger unauthorized external resource access during the parsing process, potentially leading to data exfiltration, denial of service conditions, or even remote code execution within the development environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes improper access control in XML processing systems, and more specifically maps to CWE-444 which addresses insufficient input validation in XML parsers. The XXE attack vector exploits the parser's failure to properly validate and sanitize external entity references within XML documents, allowing attackers to manipulate how the parser resolves external resources. When IntelliJ IDEA processes an AndroidManifest.xml file containing malicious external entity declarations, the parser may attempt to resolve these references against attacker-controlled external servers, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access or system compromise. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through the IDE's built-in XML parsing functionality without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code analysis, as it directly threatens the security of the entire development environment and potentially compromises the integrity of source code being processed. Developers working with Android applications are particularly at risk since AndroidManifest.xml files are routinely parsed by IntelliJ IDEA during project loading, building, and debugging operations. Attackers can craft malicious manifests that, when opened or processed by the IDE, trigger the XXE vulnerability and execute unauthorized operations. This creates a persistent threat vector where merely opening a compromised file can result in information disclosure or system compromise, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in collaborative development environments where multiple developers may be working with shared code repositories.
Organizations and developers should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate updates to IntelliJ IDEA to versions that address the XXE processing flaws. The recommended mitigation strategy includes disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing strict input validation for all XML content, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent the inclusion of untrusted XML data in development environments. Security controls should also include network-level restrictions that prevent development environments from accessing external resources during XML processing, as well as regular security scanning of XML files and code repositories to identify potentially malicious content. According to ATT&CK framework category T1213, this vulnerability represents a data exploitation technique that can be used to extract sensitive information from the development environment, while the attack surface mapping to T1059 indicates that the vulnerability can be leveraged for command execution within the IDE context. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security controls that monitor for suspicious XML content and establish secure development practices that prevent the accidental inclusion of malicious code in development artifacts.