CVE-2022-37189 in MEI2Volpiano
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2022
DDMAL MEI2Volpiano 0.8.2 is vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE), leading to a Denial of Service. This occurs due to the usage of the unsafe 'xml.etree' library to parse untrusted XML input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37189 affects DDMAL MEI2Volpiano version 0.8.2, a software tool designed for converting Music Encoding Initiative (MEI) files into Volpiano notation. This particular flaw represents a classic XML External Entity processing vulnerability that can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions within the application. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of XML input data through the xml.etree library, which lacks proper security configurations for parsing untrusted content. This issue places the system at risk of being overwhelmed by maliciously crafted XML payloads that can trigger resource exhaustion or processing errors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's reliance on the xml.etree.ElementTree library without implementing proper security measures to prevent external entity resolution. When the application processes XML input containing external entity declarations, the xml.etree library will attempt to resolve these entities, potentially leading to resource consumption issues or processing failures. This behavior aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in XML processing. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition because the application cannot properly handle malformed or malicious XML input that triggers excessive resource consumption or processing errors during the parsing phase.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that utilize DDMAL MEI2Volpiano for processing musical notation files. Attackers could exploit this weakness by submitting specially crafted XML files that contain external entity references designed to consume excessive system resources or cause processing failures. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability could potentially be used in broader attack scenarios where the application serves as an entry point for more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects any environment where the software processes untrusted XML input, making it particularly concerning for applications that accept user-uploaded musical notation files or integrate with external data sources.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper XML parsing configurations that disable external entity resolution and parameter entity expansion. The recommended approach involves configuring the xml.etree library to use secure parsing modes that prevent the resolution of external entities and DTD references. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to ensure that all XML input is properly validated before processing. Additionally, the application should be updated to use more secure XML parsing libraries or configurations that explicitly disable XXE processing. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which addresses data from information repositories, as proper input validation and secure parsing practices are essential for preventing exploitation of XML processing vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security guidelines, particularly those addressing XML external entity processing.