CVE-2020-26705: XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in easy-xml
Summary
CVE-2020-26705: The parseXML function in Easy-XML 0.5.0 was discovered to have a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability which allows for an attacker to expose sensitive data or perform a denial of service (DOS) via a crafted external e... Affects easy-xml versions 0.5.0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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
Background
Easy-XML is a Python package available on PyPI that provides functionality for parsing XML content. It is commonly used in applications that require XML processing. The package is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack, which allows an attacker to exploit the parsing function and potentially expose sensitive data or cause a denial of service (DOS) by injecting a crafted external entity into the XML content.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Easy-XML arises from the parseXML function, which fails to properly handle external entities in XML input. By manipulating the XML content, an attacker can include malicious external entities that may lead to information disclosure or resource exhaustion. This can have severe consequences, such as unauthorized access to sensitive data or disruption of the application's availability.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, developers can implement input validation and sanitization techniques to mitigate the risk of XXE attacks. This involves carefully validating and filtering XML input to prevent the inclusion of external entities. Additionally, it is advisable to restrict the processing of XML content to trusted sources and avoid processing untrusted or user-supplied XML data.
Conclusion
The XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Easy-XML exposes applications to potential data exposure and denial of service attacks. It is crucial to promptly update the Easy-XML package to a secure version that addresses this vulnerability. Implementing input validation and sanitization techniques can serve as a temporary workaround until the update is applied. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for easy-xml →
FAQ
An XML External Entity (XXE) attack is a type of vulnerability that allows an attacker to exploit the processing of XML input by including external entities. These entities can reference files, network resources, or other system entities, leading to information disclosure, denial of service, or remote code execution.
The XXE vulnerability in Easy-XML can have various impacts on your application. It may allow an attacker to access sensitive files, read arbitrary data, or cause a denial of service by overwhelming system resources. Depending on the context and privileges of the application, the consequences can be severe.
Yes, the maintainers of Easy-XML have released a fixed version that addresses the XXE vulnerability. It is recommended to update your Easy-XML dependency to the latest secure version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
While waiting for the package update, developers can implement input validation and sanitization techniques to mitigate the risk of XXE attacks. By carefully validating and filtering XML input, the inclusion of external entities can be prevented. Additionally, restricting the processing of XML content to trusted sources can help mitigate the vulnerability.
You can find more information about the XXE vulnerability in Easy-XML, including technical details and the patch, in the official advisory provided by the Python Package Authority (PyPA) advisory database. The advisory can be accessed at the following URL: https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/blob/main/vulns/easy-xml/PYSEC-2021-388.yaml
