CVE-2023-40235 in Archi
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2023
An NTLM Hash Disclosure was discovered in ArchiMate Archi before 5.1.0. When parsing the XMLNS value of an ArchiMate project file, if the namespace does not match the expected ArchiMate URL, the parser will access the provided resource. If the provided resource is a UNC path pointing to a share server that does not accept a guest account, the host will try to authenticate on the share by using the current user's session. NOTE: this issue occurs because Archi uses an unsafe configuration of the Eclipse Modeling Framework.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in ArchiMate Archi software version 5.0.0 and earlier, where improper handling of XML namespace declarations creates an unintended authentication channel. The issue manifests when the application processes ArchiMate project files containing XMLNS values that do not conform to the expected ArchiMate namespace standards. The parser's behavior of attempting to access external resources referenced in these malformed namespace declarations creates a vector for credential exposure through NTLM hash disclosure mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Archi's reliance on the Eclipse Modeling Framework with unsafe configuration parameters that enable automatic resource resolution without proper authentication controls. When the parser encounters a namespace that doesn't match expected ArchiMate standards, it attempts to resolve the external resource through standard network protocols. If this resource points to a UNC path on a network share that requires authenticated access, the application defaults to using the current user's session credentials for authentication attempts. This process inadvertently exposes the user's NTLM hash to potentially malicious actors who can intercept and reuse these credentials for lateral movement within network environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with a method to harvest authentication tokens from systems running vulnerable versions of ArchiMate Archi. Network administrators and security professionals should recognize this as a potential entry point for privilege escalation attacks, particularly in enterprise environments where users maintain elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as it occurs during normal file parsing operations, making it particularly dangerous for environments where users frequently open project files from untrusted sources or network locations.
This flaw aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) classifications, as it exposes authentication credentials through improper resource handling and weak cryptographic practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, as it can lead to credential compromise that enables persistent access to network resources. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate secure coding principles, specifically the principle of least privilege in resource access management.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to ArchiMate Archi version 5.1.0 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through proper namespace validation and resource access controls. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized authentication attempts and consider restricting access to network shares that may be targeted by this attack vector. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening project files from untrusted sources, particularly those containing external resource references. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure configuration management in enterprise software development, particularly when leveraging established frameworks like Eclipse Modeling Framework that require careful attention to security-sensitive parameters.