CVE-2018-1000540 in LoboEvolution
Summary
by MITRE
LoboEvolution version < 9b75694cedfa4825d4a2330abf2719d470c654cd contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in XML Parsing when viewing the XML file in the browser that can result in disclosure of confidential data, denial of service, server side request forgery. This attack appear to be exploitable via Specially crafted XML file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The CVE-2018-1000540 vulnerability represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw discovered in LoboEvolution versions prior to commit 9b75694cedfa4825d4a2330abf2719d470c654cd. This vulnerability manifests within the XML parsing functionality when the browser attempts to render maliciously crafted XML files, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The XXE vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of external entity references during XML document processing, allowing attackers to manipulate how the parser resolves external resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the browser context where users might unknowingly open or view XML files, making it a client-side attack vector with potentially widespread impact.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs when a malicious XML file contains external entity declarations that reference external resources or perform server-side operations. When the vulnerable LoboEvolution browser processes such files, the XML parser attempts to resolve these external entities, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, internal network scanning, or server-side request forgery attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the XML parsing component's failure to properly validate or sanitize external entity references, creating opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information from the server, perform denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion, or leverage the parser to make unintended requests to internal services. This flaw aligns with CWE-611 which categorizes improper restriction of XML external entity reference as a critical weakness in XML processing systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1000540 extends beyond simple data disclosure, encompassing multiple attack vectors that can compromise system integrity and availability. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access confidential data stored on the server, potentially including database credentials, user information, or system configuration details. The denial of service component of this vulnerability allows adversaries to consume excessive system resources through malformed XML entities, leading to service disruption. Additionally, the server-side request forgery capability enables attackers to make unauthorized requests from the vulnerable system, potentially accessing internal services that should remain isolated from external networks. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter XML files from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, as the attack can be initiated without user interaction beyond viewing the malicious file. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for Initial Access through malicious file execution, with potential for Privilege Escalation and Defense Evasion through data exfiltration and service disruption activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1000540 should prioritize immediate version updates to LoboEvolution beyond the affected commit 9b75694cedfa4825d4a2330abf2719d470c654cd where the XXE vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement strict XML parsing configurations that disable external entity resolution andDTD processing entirely, as recommended by security best practices for XML processing applications. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the potential impact of server-side request forgery attacks by restricting outbound connections from vulnerable systems. Input validation and sanitization measures should be implemented to filter or reject XML files containing suspicious entity declarations. Additionally, security awareness training for users can help prevent accidental exploitation through social engineering attacks that deliver malicious XML files. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining XXE vulnerabilities in related systems or applications that process XML data, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors that may exist in the broader software ecosystem.