CVE-2019-7442 in Password Vault Web Access
Summary
by MITRE
An XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the Password Vault Web Access (PVWA) of CyberArk Enterprise Password Vault <=10.7 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or potentially bypass authentication via a crafted DTD in the SAML authentication system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The CVE-2019-7442 vulnerability represents a critical XML external entity flaw within CyberArk Enterprise Password Vault's Password Vault Web Access component, affecting versions 10.7 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the SAML authentication system implementation within the PVWA interface, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system's XML parsing mechanisms. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of XML data structures, particularly when processing SAML authentication requests that contain crafted external entity declarations.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Document Type Definition (DTD) elements within SAML authentication requests. Attackers can construct malicious SAML responses that reference external entities pointing to local system files, enabling unauthorized file read operations on the affected server. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent XML parsing behavior where external entities are automatically resolved and processed without proper security controls. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as the vulnerability exists within the authentication system itself, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file read access, as it can potentially enable complete system compromise through information disclosure and authentication bypass. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access sensitive configuration files, user credentials stored within the password vault, and system-level information that could facilitate further attacks. The SAML authentication context makes this particularly dangerous as it provides a legitimate access path that bypasses normal security controls, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to privileged accounts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a common attack pattern documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application).
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing strict input validation for all SAML authentication requests, and applying the vendor-provided security patches released for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of SAML authentication traffic can help detect exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes configuring XML parsers to reject external entity declarations and implementing proper access controls around authentication endpoints. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential XXE vulnerabilities in similar systems and ensure that all XML processing components have proper security hardening in place.