CVE-2022-1018 in ISaGRAF
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2022
When opening a malicious solution file provided by an attacker, the application suffers from an XML external entity vulnerability due to an unsafe call within a dynamic link library file. An attacker could exploit this to pass data from local files to a remote web server, leading to a loss of confidentiality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1018 represents a critical XML external entity injection flaw that manifests when applications process malicious solution files through unsafe dynamic link library calls. This weakness resides in the application's XML parsing mechanism where external entity references are not properly validated or restricted, creating an avenue for unauthorized data exfiltration. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of solution files that contain crafted XML content designed to exploit the unsafe XML parser implementation within the dynamic link library component.
This security flaw operates under the CWE-611 vulnerability category, which classifies it as an improper restriction of XML external entity reference, and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct malicious solution files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, trigger XML parsing routines that resolve external entities and transmit local file contents to remote servers controlled by the adversary. The exploitation mechanism leverages the application's trust in XML schema processing without adequate validation of external entity declarations.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1018 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to exfiltrate sensitive information from local systems including configuration files, credentials, source code repositories, and other confidential data stored within the application's working environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since the malicious solution file can be delivered through social engineering campaigns, phishing emails, or compromised software distribution channels. Once executed, the XML external entity injection allows for arbitrary file read operations that can bypass traditional network security controls and access systems that might otherwise be protected by firewalls or access restrictions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict XML parsing configurations that disable external entity resolution and DTD processing within the application's XML parser settings. Security measures must include input validation and sanitization of all solution file contents, along with the implementation of XML schema validation to prevent unauthorized entity references. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting controls, network monitoring for unusual data exfiltration patterns, and regular security updates to address the underlying parsing library vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires updating the affected dynamic link library components to versions that properly handle XML external entity references according to industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP XML External Entity Prevention Cheat Sheet and the ISO/IEC 17799 security framework.