CVE-2024-28982 in Pentaho Business Analytics Server
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2024
Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics Server versions before 10.1.0.0 and 9.3.0.7, including 8.3.x do not correctly protect the ACL service endpoint of the Pentaho User Console against XML External Entity Reference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28982 affects Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics Server across multiple versions including 8.3.x, 9.3.0.7, and prior to 10.1.0.0. This security flaw resides within the Access Control List (ACL) service endpoint of the Pentaho User Console, representing a critical weakness in the platform's authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of XML External Entity (XXE) references, which allows attackers to exploit the system's XML processing capabilities for malicious purposes.
The technical flaw manifests when the Pentaho User Console processes XML data through its ACL service endpoint without adequate validation or sanitization of external entity references. This vulnerability falls under CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents. The XXE vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to server-side request forgery attacks, internal network reconnaissance, and potential data exfiltration from the affected system. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the XML parser to reference external resources or internal system files that should not be accessible through the normal application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing Pentaho Business Analytics Server, as it creates potential entry points for unauthorized access to sensitive business intelligence data and system resources. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, escalate privileges, or extract confidential information from the analytics platform. The affected versions span multiple release lines, indicating this is a persistent issue that has not been adequately addressed in the older versions of the platform. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches and potential compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where data protection and access controls are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28982 should prioritize immediate upgrades to Pentaho Business Analytics Server version 10.1.0.0 or 9.3.0.7, which contain the necessary patches to address the XXE vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the affected ACL service endpoint, particularly from untrusted networks or external systems. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor system logs for suspicious XML processing activities. Additionally, implementing proper XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution and using security frameworks that enforce strict input validation can provide additional layers of protection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, as it enables adversaries to extract sensitive data from repository systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent XXE attack patterns, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities in their business analytics infrastructure.