CVE-2019-11216 in Smart Reporting
Summary
by MITRE
BMC Smart Reporting 7.3 20180418 allows authenticated XXE within the import functionality. One can import a malicious XML file and perform XXE attacks to download local files from the server, or do DoS attacks with XML expansion attacks. XXE with direct response and XXE OOB are allowed.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-11216 affects BMC Smart Reporting version 7.3 released on 20180418, representing a critical server-side XML external entity injection flaw within the application's import functionality. This vulnerability exists in the way the system processes XML files during the import operation, creating an attack surface where authenticated users can manipulate the import process to execute malicious XML payloads. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of XML content, allowing attackers to leverage XML parsing mechanisms to access internal server resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities through XML external entity injection attacks. The flaw permits both direct response XXE attacks where malicious entities can retrieve local file contents directly within the response, and out-of-band XXE attacks that can exfiltrate data through external servers or trigger denial-of-service conditions via XML expansion attacks. Attackers can construct malicious XML files containing external entity references that point to local resources or external endpoints, allowing them to read sensitive files from the server filesystem or consume server resources to cause service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides authenticated attackers with the ability to bypass normal access controls and perform unauthorized data access or service disruption. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the BMC Smart Reporting system, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive configuration files, user data, or system information that should remain protected. The ability to perform DoS attacks through XML expansion means that even a single malicious import operation could render the reporting service unavailable to legitimate users. This vulnerability represents a direct threat to the security posture of organizations relying on BMC Smart Reporting for their reporting infrastructure.
Security mitigations for CVE-2019-11216 should focus on implementing proper XML parsing restrictions and input validation within the import functionality. Organizations should disable external entity resolution in XML parsers and implement strict XML schema validation for all imported content. The recommended approach includes configuring XML parsers to reject external entity declarations and using secure XML processing libraries that prevent XXE attacks by default. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual import activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) for data exfiltration activities and T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) for service disruption attacks. Regular security updates and patch management should be implemented to address this vulnerability, as BMC has likely released remediation measures for this specific flaw in subsequent versions of their Smart Reporting platform.