CVE-2020-36641 in aXMLRPC
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in gturri aXMLRPC up to 1.12.0. This vulnerability affects the function ResponseParser of the file src/main/java/de/timroes/axmlrpc/ResponseParser.java. The manipulation leads to xml external entity reference. Upgrading to version 1.14.0 is able to address this issue. The patch is identified as 456752ebc1ef4c0db980cb5b01a0b3cd0a9e0bae. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-217450 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36641 represents a critical security flaw within the gturri aXMLRPC library version 1.12.0 and earlier. This issue resides within the ResponseParser class located in the file src/main/java/de/timroes/axmlrpc/ResponseParser.java, making it a target for malicious exploitation through XML external entity reference attacks. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates significant security implications that could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality. Organizations utilizing this library in their applications face potential risks including unauthorized data access, server-side request forgery, and denial of service conditions that could severely impact operational continuity.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the ResponseParser processes XML responses without proper validation of external entity references. This allows attackers to craft malicious XML content that can trigger unintended behavior during parsing operations. The vulnerability specifically exploits the library's handling of XML entities, enabling attackers to reference external resources that could contain malicious payloads or sensitive information. When the parser encounters these external entity references, it may attempt to resolve them, potentially leading to information disclosure, remote code execution, or service disruption. The issue manifests in the library's XML parsing mechanism where insufficient input sanitization permits the exploitation of XML External Entity vulnerabilities, a well-documented threat vector in cybersecurity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise entire application ecosystems. Attackers leveraging this flaw could potentially access internal network resources, extract sensitive data from the application's environment, or perform unauthorized operations against backend systems. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on the gturri aXMLRPC library for XML-RPC communication, particularly those in enterprise environments where XML-RPC services are commonly used for inter-system communication. Organizations running vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to compromised systems. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in cloud environments where XML-RPC services might be exposed to untrusted networks or users.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability center on immediate version upgrading to 1.14.0 or later, which incorporates the patch identified by the commit hash 456752ebc1ef4c0db980cb5b01a0b3cd0a9e0bae. This upgrade process should be prioritized across all affected systems and applications to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict XML-RPC traffic, and comprehensive input validation for all XML content processed by applications. The patch addresses the core XML entity handling mechanism within the ResponseParser, ensuring that external entity references are properly validated and rejected when they pose security risks. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing the affected library and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a clear example of how XML processing libraries can introduce security risks when insufficient protection mechanisms are implemented. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and potentially T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: XML) as exploitation methods. The remediation approach follows standard vulnerability management practices, emphasizing the importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and implementing proper security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing automated dependency scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in their software supply chains, as this particular flaw demonstrates the ongoing need for vigilance in managing open source components that may contain security flaws.