CVE-2022-0839 in SQLcl
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2022
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in GitHub repository liquibase/liquibase prior to 4.8.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0839 represents a critical security flaw in the Liquibase database change management tool that affects versions prior to 4.8.0. This issue stems from improper restriction of XML External Entity references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through XML processing mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the core functionality of Liquibase's XML parsing capabilities, which are extensively used for defining database schema changes and migrations.
This security weakness allows attackers to manipulate XML input processing by introducing external entity references that can trigger unauthorized access to internal systems or resources. The flaw specifically manifests when Liquibase processes XML files containing external entity declarations, enabling potential attackers to perform server-side request forggering attacks or access local files through malicious XML payloads. The vulnerability operates at the XML parser level where external entities are not properly validated or restricted, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries with access to modify XML input files.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0839 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to information disclosure, denial of service conditions, and potentially remote code execution depending on the target environment. Organizations using Liquibase for database migrations and schema management are particularly at risk since the tool is commonly integrated into continuous integration and deployment pipelines. The vulnerability affects both automated and manual database change processes, making it a significant concern for enterprises that rely on Liquibase for their database infrastructure management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity references, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from local systems. This classification indicates that the vulnerability allows for data extraction from local resources through XML processing mechanisms. The exploitability of this flaw requires minimal privileges and can be executed through manipulation of XML input files that Liquibase processes during migration operations, making it particularly dangerous in automated environments where XML files are frequently processed without additional validation layers.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Liquibase version 4.8.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix implements proper XML external entity validation and restriction mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing strict input validation for all XML files processed by Liquibase, configuring XML parsers to disable external entity resolution, and establishing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all Liquibase configurations and migration scripts to identify any potential exposure to this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated Liquibase version to ensure that existing database migration processes continue to function correctly while maintaining the enhanced security controls.