CVE-2014-3529: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in Apache POI
Summary
CVE-2014-3529: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in Apache POI. Affects org.apache.poi:poi versions < 3.10.1. Fixed in 3.10.1. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- libapache-poi-java · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-3529 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
Apache POI is a Java library for reading and writing Microsoft Office file formats, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It provides APIs to manipulate these files programmatically. The vulnerability in Apache POI before version 3.10.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by exploiting an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. This vulnerability arises due to improper restriction of XML external entity references in the OPC SAX setup. By crafting an OpenXML file containing an XML external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, an attacker can trick the application into parsing and disclosing sensitive files on the system.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Apache POI allows an attacker to read arbitrary files on the system. By exploiting the XML External Entity (XXE) issue, an attacker can craft a malicious OpenXML file that contains an XML external entity declaration and an entity reference. When the file is processed by Apache POI, the application will parse the external entity and disclose its contents, allowing the attacker to read sensitive files on the system. This can lead to unauthorized access to confidential information, such as user credentials, database configurations, or other sensitive data stored on the system.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.10.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to the latest version of Apache POI to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Apache POI allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files on the system by exploiting an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. To mitigate the risk, it is recommended to upgrade to Apache POI version 3.10.1 or later. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.apache.poi:poi →
FAQ
Apache POI is a Java library for reading and writing Microsoft Office file formats, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
An XML External Entity (XXE) issue is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to read arbitrary files on the system by exploiting the processing of external entities in XML documents.
This vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious OpenXML file that contains an XML external entity declaration and an entity reference. When the file is processed by Apache POI, the application will parse the external entity and disclose its contents.
The potential consequences of this vulnerability include unauthorized access to sensitive files on the system, such as user credentials, database configurations, or other confidential information.
To protect your application from this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to Apache POI version 3.10.1 or later.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for org.apache.poi:poi.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
