CVE-2019-3772 in Retail Customer Management
Summary
by MITRE
Spring Integration (spring-integration-xml and spring-integration-ws modules), versions 4.3.18, 5.0.10, 5.1.1, and older unsupported versions, were susceptible to XML External Entity Injection (XXE) when receiving XML data from untrusted sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2023
Spring Integration frameworks version 4.3.18, 5.0.10, 5.1.1, and older unsupported versions contained a critical vulnerability that allowed attackers to exploit XML External Entity Injection (XXE) when processing XML data from untrusted sources. This vulnerability specifically affected the spring-integration-xml and spring-integration-ws modules, which are commonly used for handling XML-based messaging and web service integration within enterprise applications. The flaw originated from insufficient input validation and secure XML parsing practices within these modules, creating an attack surface where malicious actors could manipulate XML documents to reference external entities or perform server-side request forgery attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of insecure XML parsers that do not properly restrict external entity resolution during XML processing. When Spring Integration modules received XML payloads containing external entity declarations, the underlying XML processors would attempt to resolve these entities, potentially leading to information disclosure, denial of service conditions, or even remote code execution depending on the environment configuration. This issue aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes insecure XML processing as a critical weakness in software applications. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to craft XML documents that include external entity references, which when processed by the vulnerable Spring Integration components would trigger unintended behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3772 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental security weakness in enterprise integration platforms that process XML data from multiple sources. Organizations using affected Spring Integration versions could experience unauthorized access to internal systems, data leakage through external entity resolution, or service disruption from resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Spring Integration components handle data from untrusted sources such as web services, file uploads, or user-submitted content, as it allows attackers to bypass normal security controls. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML external entity injection, enabling attackers to establish persistent access patterns through the integration layer.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Spring Integration versions to the latest secure releases, which include proper XML parser configuration and external entity restriction. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all XML data sources, configure XML parsers to disable external entity resolution, and establish network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The recommended approach includes upgrading to Spring Integration 4.3.19, 5.0.11, 5.1.2, or newer versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of integration points, implement XML schema validation, and establish monitoring for suspicious XML processing patterns. Organizations may also consider implementing web application firewalls or API gateways that can detect and block malicious XML entities before they reach the vulnerable Spring Integration components.