CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-25926NVD status: Analyzed

Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

CVE-2023-25926 is a high-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager versions: 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, 4.1, 4.1.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 73% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
IBMSecurity Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, 4.1, 4.1.1Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
LowSome restricted data can be read.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.15.5MediumCNA (us.ibm.com)
CVSS 3.18.2HighNVD

Official description

IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, 4.1, and 4.1.1 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when processing XML data. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to expose sensitive information or consume memory resources. IBM X-Force ID: 247599.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

The product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Many XML parsers and validators can be configured to disable external entity expansion.

More Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-611)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager

All Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities

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