CVE-2022-3340 in IPS Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2022
XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Trellix IPS Manager prior to 10.1 M8 allows a remote authenticated administrator to perform XXE attack in the administrator interface part of the interface, which allows a saved XML configuration file to be imported.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2022
The CVE-2022-3340 vulnerability represents a critical XML External Entity processing weakness in Trellix IPS Manager versions prior to 10.1 M8, specifically affecting the administrator interface component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and processing of XML data within the system's configuration import functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the application's XML parser. The flaw exists in the handling of XML configuration files that administrators can import through the web-based management interface, where the system fails to properly sanitize external entity references during XML parsing operations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only authenticated access to the administrator interface, making it exploitable by users with legitimate administrative privileges who may have been compromised or by attackers who have gained such access through other means.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator imports a maliciously crafted XML configuration file containing external entity references. The XML parser processes these entities without proper restrictions, potentially allowing attackers to access local files, perform server-side request forgery attacks, or even execute arbitrary code on the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-611 as an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, which is a well-documented weakness in XML processing implementations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the server, access internal network resources, or potentially escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates through the legitimate administrative interface, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or intrusion detection systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it can enable attackers to gain deeper system access and potentially compromise the entire security infrastructure managed by the Trellix IPS Manager. The ability to import configuration files through the administrator interface means that an attacker with sufficient privileges can craft XML payloads that trigger the XXE processing, leading to unauthorized access to system resources, configuration data, or potentially even system command execution. This vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Trellix IPS Manager for network security monitoring and intrusion prevention, potentially exposing their security infrastructure to compromise. The risk is amplified by the fact that administrators may unknowingly import malicious configuration files, especially if they are working with third-party or untrusted XML data sources, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where configuration management is a routine administrative task.
Organizations should immediately update their Trellix IPS Manager installations to version 10.1 M8 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the vendor has addressed the XXE processing issue through proper XML parser configuration and input validation. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious XML import activities and consider restricting administrative access to the system through network segmentation and privileged access management controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistence or escalate privileges within compromised environments. Additionally, implementing proper XML validation and sanitization measures, including disabling external entity processing in XML parsers, should be considered as part of a comprehensive security hardening strategy. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training for administrators to prevent accidental import of malicious configuration files and establish strict governance policies for configuration management and change control processes.