CVE-2020-15232 in ProVide
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2020
In mapfish-print before version 3.24, a user can do to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack with the provided SDL style.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-15232 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw in mapfish-print versions prior to 3.24. This issue arises from insufficient input validation within the software's handling of SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) style files, which are commonly used for generating maps and reports. The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the XML parser's inability to properly restrict external entity references, creating a pathway for malicious XML content to be processed and potentially leading to unauthorized data access or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's reliance on standard XML parsing mechanisms that do not adequately sanitize external entity declarations. When processing SDL style files, mapfish-print accepts XML input that may contain external entity references pointing to malicious resources. This flaw aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, making it a direct implementation of this well-known security weakness. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct malicious XML payloads that can cause the application to fetch and process external resources, potentially leading to information disclosure, denial of service, or server-side request forgery attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on mapfish-print for map generation and reporting services. Attackers could leverage this XXE vulnerability to access internal network resources, exfiltrate sensitive data from the server, or perform reconnaissance activities by probing internal systems through the XML processing pipeline. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through the standard map generation workflow, making it difficult to detect and prevent. This vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1592, which describes the use of external remote services for data exfiltration, and T1213, which covers data from information repositories, as attackers can potentially access stored data through the vulnerable XML processing mechanism.
Organizations using affected versions of mapfish-print should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 3.24 or later, which contains proper XML entity validation and restriction mechanisms. Additional protective measures include configuring XML parsers to disable external entity resolution, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems, and monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in processing untrusted data and highlights the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing XML external entity attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.