CVE-2011-5245: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in RESTEasy
Summary
CVE-2011-5245: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in RESTEasy. Affects org.jboss.resteasy:resteasy-jaxb-provider versions < 2.3.2. Fixed in 2.3.2. How to fix ↓
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Background
The RESTEasy package is a framework for building RESTful web services and applications in Java. It provides a set of tools and libraries that simplify the development process and enable the creation of scalable and efficient RESTful APIs. RESTEasy includes a component called providers.jaxb.JAXBXmlTypeProvider, which is responsible for handling XML data using the Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) standard.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, known as XML external entity (XXE) injection (CVE-2011-5245), exists in the readFrom function of the JAXBXmlTypeProvider in RESTEasy versions prior to 2.3.2. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by exploiting an external entity reference in a JAXB input. By injecting malicious XML data, an unauthorized actor can access sensitive information stored on the server, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential data.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.3.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
If upgrading to the latest version of RESTEasy is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround is to disable the use of JAXBXmlTypeProvider or any other components that utilize JAXB input processing. By removing or disabling these components, the vulnerability can be mitigated until a proper upgrade can be performed. However, it is important to note that this workaround may impact the functionality of the affected application, and a thorough assessment should be conducted to ensure no critical features are affected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the XXE injection vulnerability in RESTEasy versions prior to 2.3.2 can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential data breaches. It is crucial to upgrade to the latest version of RESTEasy or apply the recommended workarounds to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
RESTEasy is a Java framework for building RESTful web services and applications. It provides tools and libraries that simplify the development process and enable the creation of scalable and efficient RESTful APIs.
XML external entity (XXE) injection is a vulnerability that allows attackers to exploit the processing of XML data by injecting malicious external entity references. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential data breaches.
JAXB (Java Architecture for XML Binding) is a Java standard for mapping XML data to Java objects and vice versa. It provides a convenient way to work with XML data in Java applications.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, using just the pom.xml file of your application.
If upgrading to the latest version of RESTEasy is not immediately feasible, another workaround is to implement input validation and sanitization to prevent the injection of malicious XML data. By carefully validating and sanitizing user input, the risk of XXE injection can be mitigated.
