CVE-2024-6893 in jtime
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2024
The "soap_cgi.pyc" API handler allows the XML body of SOAP requests to contain references to external entities. This allows an unauthenticated attacker to read local files, perform server-side request forgery, and overwhelm the web server resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6893 resides within the soap_cgi.pyc API handler component of a web application system, representing a critical security flaw that directly impacts the XML processing capabilities of the platform. This issue manifests through the improper handling of XML requests that contain external entity references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's XML parser configuration. The vulnerability specifically affects the SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) request processing mechanism, where the application fails to adequately sanitize or restrict XML external entity declarations that may be embedded within the request body. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the XML parser behavior through carefully crafted requests that reference external resources, bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's XML parser configuration that permits external entity resolution without proper restrictions or validation mechanisms. When a SOAP request is processed through the soap_cgi.pyc handler, the XML parser attempts to resolve any external entity references present in the request body, including those that point to local file systems or network resources. This behavior aligns with CWE-611, which categorizes improper restriction of XML external entity reference as a critical weakness in XML processing systems. The flaw enables attackers to construct malicious SOAP requests containing XML entities that reference local files, network endpoints, or even perform server-side requests to other internal or external systems. The vulnerability essentially allows an unauthenticated attacker to leverage the XML parser's capabilities to perform unauthorized actions that should normally be restricted by the application's security policies and network segmentation controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6893 extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating multiple attack vectors that can compromise system integrity and availability. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read arbitrary local files from the web server's file system, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, credential stores, or application data that should remain protected. The server-side request forgery capability enables attackers to perform requests to internal services or external systems that the web server can reach, effectively using the vulnerable application as a proxy for further attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to perform resource exhaustion attacks by crafting XML requests with malicious entity references that cause the web server to consume excessive processing power or memory resources, leading to denial of service conditions. This multi-faceted impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter, and T1499.004 for network denial of service, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for attackers seeking to compromise system availability and confidentiality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6893 must address the core XML parsing configuration issues that enable external entity resolution. Organizations should immediately disable external entity resolution in all XML parsers used by the soap_cgi.pyc handler through proper configuration settings that prevent the parser from resolving external references. The implementation of XML parser security configurations should include disabling external entity processing, restricting access to local resources, and implementing proper input validation for all SOAP request bodies. Security measures should also include network-level restrictions that prevent the web server from accessing internal resources that could be targeted through server-side request forgery attacks. Organizations should implement proper monitoring and logging of SOAP API requests to detect anomalous patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should validate that XML parsers are configured according to security best practices, with specific attention to ensuring that external entity processing is disabled or properly restricted. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP XML External Entity Prevention Cheat Sheet, which provides comprehensive guidance for preventing similar vulnerabilities in web applications.