CVE-2017-8918 in Dive Assistant
Summary
by MITRE
XXE in Dive Assistant - Template Builder in Blackwave Dive Assistant - Desktop Edition 8.0 allows attackers to remotely view local files via a crafted template.xml file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8918 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw within the Blackwave Dive Assistant Desktop Edition version 8.0, specifically affecting the Dive Assistant - Template Builder component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of XML content, allowing malicious actors to exploit the application's XML parser to access local system resources. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes a specially crafted template.xml file that contains malicious XML entities, enabling unauthorized file system traversal and information disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML parsing behavior within the application's template processing engine. When the Dive Assistant - Template Builder encounters a crafted template.xml file, the XML parser attempts to resolve external entity references, which can be configured to point to local files on the victim's system. This processing behavior aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes insecure XML processing as a weakness that allows attackers to manipulate XML parsers to access sensitive data or execute arbitrary code. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to construct XML content that references local files through external entity declarations, bypassing normal file access controls and potentially exposing confidential information stored on the local system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for users of the Blackwave Dive Assistant application, particularly in environments where sensitive diving data, personal information, or operational details might be stored locally. An attacker could remotely construct a malicious template.xml file and deliver it to a victim through various means such as email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. Upon successful exploitation, the vulnerability enables unauthorized file reading capabilities that could expose configuration files, personal data, system logs, or other sensitive information stored within the application's local file system. The remote nature of this attack vector means that victims need not be physically present to be compromised, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users might unknowingly interact with malicious content.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's approach to XML external entity attacks. While the immediate impact appears to be file reading capabilities, this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for further attacks including privilege escalation, lateral movement, or information gathering for more complex attacks. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack chains where initial reconnaissance through file disclosure might lead to more significant compromise opportunities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-611 and its potential to enable information disclosure aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which addresses data from local system information gathering.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8918 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of Blackwave Dive Assistant Desktop Edition that properly validates and sanitizes XML input, ensuring that external entity references are disabled or properly controlled. Organizations should implement strict XML parsing policies that disable external entity resolution and parameter entity expansion within the application's XML processing components. Additionally, network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious XML content attempts. Regular security assessments should include XML parsing validation testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the application or related systems. Users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted XML files and the importance of verifying file sources before processing potentially malicious content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in preventing XML external entity attacks that can lead to unauthorized system access and information disclosure.