CVE-2024-21765 in Electronic Delivery Check System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/24/2024
Electronic Delivery Check System (Doboku) Ver.18.1.0 and earlier, Electronic Delivery Check System (Dentsu) Ver.12.1.0 and earlier, Electronic Delivery Check System (Kikai) Ver.10.1.0 and earlier, and Electronic delivery item Inspection Support SystemVer.4.0.31 and earlier improperly restrict XML external entity references (XXE). By processing a specially crafted XML file, arbitrary files on the system may be read by an attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21765 represents a critical XML external entity processing flaw affecting multiple electronic delivery and inspection support systems from different vendors. This weakness manifests in versions 18.1.0 and earlier of the Doboku system, 12.1.0 and earlier of the Dentsu system, 10.1.0 and earlier of the Kikai system, and version 4.0.31 and earlier of the Electronic delivery item Inspection Support System. The flaw falls under the well-established CWE-611 category of improper restriction of XML external entity references, which has been consistently documented in cybersecurity frameworks and represents one of the most prevalent attack vectors targeting enterprise applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the XML parsing mechanisms of these systems, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the processing of specially crafted XML files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform arbitrary file reads on the affected systems by leveraging XML external entity references that are not properly sanitized or restricted. When these systems process XML input containing malicious external entity declarations, they inadvertently traverse the file system and retrieve sensitive data from locations accessible to the application process. This capability extends beyond simple file enumeration to potentially expose configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive artifacts stored within the system's file hierarchy. The attack vector operates through the standard XML parser behavior where external entities are resolved and processed, but the systems fail to implement proper restrictions that would prevent access to local files through these mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond the immediate technical exploitation, creating substantial risk for organizations relying on these systems for electronic delivery and inspection processes. Attackers could potentially access sensitive business data, customer information, internal system configurations, and other proprietary assets that may have been stored in accessible file locations. The vulnerability affects systems that likely process high volumes of electronic documents and delivery confirmations, making the potential exposure of data particularly concerning. Organizations may face compliance violations under data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or other regulatory frameworks depending on the nature of the data processed. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that these systems may be integrated with other enterprise applications, potentially allowing lateral movement and further compromise of the broader network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21765 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions that address the XXE vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, specifically configuring XML parsers to disable external entity resolution and DTD processing entirely. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file system access for the application processes, ensuring that even if exploitation occurs, the attacker cannot access sensitive files beyond the application's intended scope. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications and systems. Implementation of web application firewalls and XML validation rules can provide additional layers of protection, while comprehensive logging and monitoring should be enabled to detect suspicious XML processing activities. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on mitigating techniques related to input validation and external entity processing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the organization's broader attack surface.