CVE-2018-20059 in Pippo
Summary
by MITRE
jaxb/JaxbEngine.java in Pippo 1.11.0 allows XXE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20059 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw within the Pippo web framework version 1.11.0. This issue resides in the jaxb/JaxbEngine.java component which handles XML processing operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of XML data, allowing malicious actors to exploit the framework's XML parser to process external entities. This particular flaw enables unauthorized access to internal system resources and potentially allows for remote code execution or data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference. The flaw occurs when the XML parser processes user-supplied XML input without proper restrictions on external entity resolution. In the context of Pippo's JaxbEngine, the framework fails to disable external entity resolution and DTD processing, creating an attack surface where malicious XML documents can reference external resources or execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-20059 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling attackers to perform server-side request forgery attacks, conduct internal network reconnaissance, or even achieve remote code execution depending on the underlying system configuration. When exploited, this vulnerability allows adversaries to access local files, perform port scanning of internal networks, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the server. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious XML payloads that reference external entities, which the vulnerable JaxbEngine component processes without adequate safeguards. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1190, which addresses Exploit Public-Facing Application.
Organizations utilizing Pippo 1.11.0 should immediately implement mitigations including disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all XML data, and applying the latest security patches from the framework maintainers. The recommended approach involves configuring the XML parser to reject external entity references and DTD processing entirely, which can be achieved through proper configuration of the underlying JAXB implementation. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to affected components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper XML security configuration in web applications and aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls related to input validation and data protection.