CVE-2025-14260 in API Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Due to the improper implementation of access control rules, the WSO2 product accepts user-supplied input related to resource location without enforcing expected validation constraints. This can be exploited by an unauthenticated actor to direct the server to make requests to arbitrary network locations.
Exploiting this vulnerability allows a malicious actor to access both internal and external resources, available through the network or filesystem, that are reachable by the WSO2 product. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The described vulnerability represents a critical failure in server-side request validation within the WSO2 product suite, specifically categorized as an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) or more accurately, Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). This flaw stems from improper implementation of access control rules where user-supplied input related to resource location is accepted without enforcing expected validation constraints. The core technical issue lies in the application's willingness to process external inputs as directives for network operations without sufficient sanitization or allow-listing mechanisms, thereby allowing an unauthenticated actor to manipulate the server into making requests to arbitrary network locations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the client and the server by abusing the server's ability to initiate outbound connections. When a user provides input that specifies a resource location, such as a URL or file path, the application fails to verify whether the target destination is legitimate or authorized for access. This lack of validation allows attackers to construct malicious payloads that redirect the WSO2 instance to internal services, cloud metadata endpoints, or external attacker-controlled servers. The absence of strict input filtering means that protocols other than HTTP and HTTPS, such as file:// or gopher://, may also be processed if supported by the underlying Java runtime environment used by WSO2, further expanding the attack surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems. By leveraging SSRF, an attacker can probe internal network segments that are typically isolated from public internet exposure. This includes accessing internal APIs, database management interfaces, or configuration files stored on local filesystems accessible by the WSO2 process. In cloud environments, this vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it often enables access to instance metadata services, which contain authentication credentials and security tokens for other running instances within the same virtual private cloud. Consequently, an unauthenticated actor can pivot through these internal resources to compromise additional systems, leading to a broader network breach.
This flaw aligns with CWE-918, Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), where the web server receives a URL or similar request from an end user and makes requests on behalf of that user without proper validation. Additionally, it relates to CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, as the application fails to correctly neutralize special elements within input data before using them in commands or queries directed at internal resources. In terms of adversary tactics, this vulnerability facilitates reconnaissance and lateral movement phases described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under techniques such as T1598 Phishing for Information from Cloud Infrastructure if cloud metadata is targeted, or T1046 Network Service Discovery when probing internal services.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing robust input validation and network-level controls. Developers should enforce strict allow-listing of permitted domains and protocols for any user-supplied resource locations, rejecting all inputs that do not match predefined safe patterns. It is crucial to disable support for dangerous protocols like file:// or gopher:// within the application's HTTP client configuration if they are not explicitly required for business logic. Furthermore, network segmentation should be employed to restrict outbound connections from WSO2 instances to only those destinations necessary for operation. Deploying a web application firewall with SSRF detection capabilities can also provide an additional layer of defense by identifying and blocking anomalous request patterns directed at internal IP ranges or known cloud metadata endpoints before they reach the vulnerable application logic.