CVE-2018-8027 in Camel
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Camel 2.20.0 to 2.20.3 and 2.21.0 Core is vulnerable to XXE in XSD validation processor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
Apache Camel versions 2.20.0 through 2.20.3 and 2.21.0 contain a critical vulnerability in the XSD validation processor that enables XML External Entity processing. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of XML input during schema validation operations where external entity references are not adequately sanitized. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious external entities into XML documents processed by the Camel framework, potentially leading to information disclosure, denial of service, or server-side request forgery attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the core processing capabilities of Camel when validating XML against XSD schemas, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted XML data through the framework's validation mechanisms. This issue represents a classic XXE vulnerability categorized under CWE-611, which falls within the broader category of insecure XML processing flaws that have been consistently identified as high-risk security concerns in enterprise applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Camel's XSD validation processor encounters XML documents containing external entity declarations. The processor fails to properly restrict access to external resources during schema validation, allowing attackers to reference external files or perform network requests through the XML parser. This processing chain typically involves the use of standard XML parsing libraries that are configured to accept external entity resolution by default, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can leverage the framework's legitimate XML processing capabilities for unauthorized operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the core processing pipeline of the framework, meaning that any application relying on Camel's XML validation features could be exposed to this attack vector without requiring additional malicious code or complex exploitation techniques. The impact extends beyond simple data exfiltration as attackers can potentially cause denial of service through resource exhaustion or leverage the vulnerability for more sophisticated attacks such as internal network scanning or blind XXE techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability affects organizations using Apache Camel in production environments where XML processing is prevalent, particularly in integration platforms, web services, and enterprise application middleware. Applications that process external XML data, such as SOAP web services, XML configuration files, or data interchange formats, become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where Camel is used to process data from untrusted sources or where the framework is deployed in cloud or containerized environments where network boundaries are less defined. Security teams must consider the potential for lateral movement within networks through blind XXE attacks or for information disclosure attacks that could expose sensitive internal resources. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate security posture but also compliance requirements, as it could lead to violations of data protection regulations and security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top 10 or NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider the broader implications for their incident response procedures, as this vulnerability could be exploited to bypass traditional security controls or to establish persistent access through carefully crafted XML payloads.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Camel versions 2.20.4 or 2.21.1, which contain patches addressing the XXE vulnerability in the XSD validation processor. Additionally, security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that XML parsers are configured to disable external entity resolution and DTD processing. Implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for all XML processing within the framework can provide additional defense-in-depth. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns or outbound network requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all systems utilizing Apache Camel to identify potential exposure points and ensure that proper access controls are in place to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The remediation efforts should align with established security frameworks and include testing of the patched versions to ensure that functionality is preserved while vulnerability is eliminated.