CVE-2018-8819 in WebCTRL
Summary
by MITRE
An XXE issue was discovered in Automated Logic Corporation (ALC) WebCTRL Versions 6.0, 6.1 and 6.5. An unauthenticated attacker could enter malicious input to WebCTRL and a weakly configured XML parser will allow the application to disclose full file contents from the underlying web server OS via the "X-Wap-Profile" HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8819 represents a critical server-side XML external entity injection flaw within Automated Logic Corporation's WebCTRL software versions 6.0, 6.1, and 6.5. This weakness stems from the application's improper handling of XML data processing, specifically when parsing HTTP headers containing XML content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a building automation and control system that operates within industrial environments, making it a potential target for sophisticated adversaries seeking to compromise critical infrastructure. The flaw manifests through the "X-Wap-Profile" HTTP header, which is commonly used in mobile web applications to indicate device capabilities and profile information. When this header contains malformed XML data, the weakly configured XML parser within WebCTRL processes it without adequate security measures, creating an attack surface that allows remote code execution and data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML entities within the X-Wap-Profile header, enabling an attacker to reference external resources and potentially access local files on the web server. This type of attack falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-611, which specifically addresses XML external entity processing vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as any remote attacker can potentially exploit it. The XML parser used by WebCTRL appears to be configured with insecure defaults, allowing it to resolve external entities and access local file systems without proper validation or restriction mechanisms. This configuration flaw allows attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that can traverse the file system and disclose sensitive information including configuration files, user credentials, and other system data that could be used for further exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8819 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a significant threat to industrial control systems and building automation networks. Organizations using WebCTRL in critical infrastructure environments face potential compromise of their operational technology environments, which could lead to unauthorized access to physical systems, disruption of services, and potential safety hazards. The vulnerability's presence in versions 6.0, 6.1, and 6.5 indicates that this flaw has existed for an extended period, providing attackers with sufficient time to develop and deploy exploitation techniques. The attack vector through HTTP headers makes this vulnerability particularly difficult to detect and prevent, as it operates within normal network traffic patterns. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1213.002 - Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries extract sensitive information through the exploitation of insecure XML processing mechanisms. The lack of authentication requirements means that this vulnerability could be exploited by automated scanning tools, making it a high-priority target for mass exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8819 should focus on immediate patching of affected WebCTRL versions, as well as implementation of network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XML content in HTTP headers. Organizations should also implement strict XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution and DTD processing, which aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP XML External Entity Prevention Cheat Sheet. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML parsing activities. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side request forgery (SSRF) threat requires organizations to implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify similar insecure XML processing configurations that could be exploited in similar ways. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be prioritized for critical infrastructure software to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.