CVE-2024-52807 in fhir-ig-publisher
Summary
by MITRE • 01/24/2025
The HL7 FHIR IG publisher is a tool to take a set of inputs and create a standard FHIR IG. Prior to version 1.7.4, XSLT transforms performed by various components are vulnerable to XML external entity injections. A processed XML file with a malicious DTD tag `( ]>` could produce XML containing data from the host system. This impacts use cases where org.hl7.fhir.publisher is being used to within a host where external clients can submit XML. A previous release provided an incomplete solution revealed by new testing. This issue has been patched as of version 1.7.4. No known workarounds are available.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2026
The HL7 FHIR IG publisher represents a critical tool in healthcare data interoperability, serving as a standard FHIR implementation guide generator that processes various inputs to create structured documentation for healthcare information systems. This tool plays a fundamental role in the healthcare technology ecosystem by enabling organizations to publish standardized implementation guides that facilitate seamless data exchange between different healthcare systems. The vulnerability discovered in versions prior to 1.7.4 specifically targets the XSLT transformation processes that occur during the publishing workflow, creating a significant security risk that could compromise host system integrity. The affected components within the org.hl7.fhir.publisher framework demonstrate a classic XML external entity injection vulnerability that allows malicious actors to manipulate the processing pipeline through carefully crafted XML inputs.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of XML external entities within the XSLT transformation engine, where the system fails to adequately sanitize input XML documents before processing. When a malicious XML file containing a crafted DTD tag with the sequence `( ]>` is processed, the system's XML parser becomes vulnerable to external entity resolution attacks. This vulnerability enables attackers to construct XML documents that reference external resources, potentially allowing the extraction of sensitive data from the host system through the XML parsing mechanism. The attack vector specifically exploits the XML parser's behavior when encountering external entity declarations, where the system attempts to resolve these entities and may inadvertently expose internal system resources or data to the attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within environments where the FHIR publisher operates. Organizations that utilize this tool in environments where external clients can submit XML content face significant risk, as attackers could potentially extract configuration files, system credentials, or other sensitive information from the host system. The vulnerability particularly affects healthcare organizations that rely on automated publishing workflows and may have untrusted input sources, creating a scenario where a single malicious XML document could compromise entire publishing infrastructure. The security implications are compounded by the fact that this vulnerability exists within a tool that is widely used for generating documentation that may contain sensitive healthcare information, making the potential impact on data confidentiality and system integrity substantial.
The remediation for this vulnerability required a comprehensive fix implemented in version 1.7.4, addressing the incomplete solution provided in previous releases. This patch demonstrates the complexity of XML security issues and the importance of thorough testing in security remediation efforts. The fix likely involves implementing proper XML parser configuration to disable external entity resolution, ensuring that DTD processing is either completely disabled or properly sanitized. Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 1.7.4 or later to address this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for this particular issue. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which specifically addresses Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, and may also map to ATT&CK techniques related to data extraction through external entity injection attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of XML security in healthcare systems where interoperability tools can become attack vectors if not properly secured against common XML injection vulnerabilities.