CVE-2018-5758 in Jive Jive-n
Summary
by MITRE
The Upload File functionality in upload.jspa in Aurea Jive Jive-n 9.0.2.1 On-Premises allows for an XML External Entity attack through a crafted file, allowing attackers to read arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5758 represents a critical security flaw in Aurea Jive Jive-n 9.0.2.1 On-Premises that manifests through the upload.jspa component's file upload functionality. This issue enables attackers to exploit XML External Entity processing vulnerabilities by crafting malicious files that trigger unauthorized file access patterns. The vulnerability exists within the server-side file handling mechanism that processes uploaded content without adequate validation or sanitization of XML entities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper XML parsing within the file upload servlet. When users upload files through the designated upload.jspa endpoint, the system fails to properly sanitize XML content that may be embedded within uploaded files. Attackers can construct malicious XML documents containing external entity references that point to local system resources, enabling them to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the XML parser's default behavior of resolving external entities, which is commonly enabled for compatibility reasons but creates significant security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially database connection details. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially if the uploaded files contain additional malicious content or if the attacker can leverage the retrieved information to perform further attacks. The vulnerability affects on-premises deployments where the upload functionality is accessible to authenticated users, creating a pathway for both internal and external attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the platform for collaborative workspaces and document management.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict XML parsing controls and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should disable external entity resolution in all XML parsers used within the application, implement comprehensive file type validation, and restrict upload functionality to authorized users only. The recommended approach includes configuring XML parsers to reject external entity declarations, implementing proper access controls for upload endpoints, and conducting regular security assessments of file handling components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to upload functionality and establish monitoring mechanisms to detect suspicious upload activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a common attack vector categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing with Social Engineering) when exploited through user interaction.