CVE-2014-1868: XML Entity Expansion (XEE) Attack in org.restlet.jse:org.restlet
Summary
CVE-2014-1868: Moderate severity vulnerability that affects org.restlet.jse:org.restlet. Affects org.restlet.jse:org.restlet versions >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.7. Fixed in 2.1.7. How to fix ↓
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Background
org.restlet.jse:org.restlet is a package in the Maven ecosystem that provides the Restlet Framework. This framework is used for building RESTful web services and applications. It offers various features and components for handling HTTP requests and responses, including XML serialization and deserialization. However, versions 2.1.x before 2.1.7 and 2.x.x before 2.2 RC1 of the Restlet Framework are vulnerable to an XML Entity Expansion (XEE) attack.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in org.restlet.jse:org.restlet arises when using XMLRepresentation or XML serializers. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted XML payload that contains excessive entity expansions. These expansions can consume significant system resources, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The attack can be triggered by an unauthenticated attacker and may result in the unavailability of the affected service or application.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.1.7
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to apply the recommended fix by upgrading to the patched versions of the Restlet Framework.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in org.restlet.jse:org.restlet allows attackers to perform XML Entity Expansion attacks, leading to a denial of service. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade to the patched versions of the Restlet Framework. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) by exploiting excessive entity expansions in XML payloads. This can result in the unavailability of the affected service or application.
Yes, the vulnerability can be exploited remotely by sending a specially crafted XML payload to the affected service or application.
No, the vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker.
There are no known instances of this vulnerability being exploited in the wild at this time.
In addition to upgrading to the patched versions of the Restlet Framework, it is recommended to follow secure coding practices and input validation techniques to minimize the risk of XML-related vulnerabilities.
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