52North WPS: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2023-6280 is a high-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in 52North WPS from 52North, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 4.0.0-beta.11 as the first without the flaw, so updating 52North WPS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.63% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 51% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update 52North WPS to 4.0.0-beta.11 or a later version.
- Update Wps to 4.0.0 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52North | 52North WPS | before 4.0.0-beta.11 | 4.0.0-beta.11 |
| 52north | Wps | before 4.0.0; 4.0.0 | 4.0.0 |
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
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | CNA (incibe.es) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
An XXE (XML External Entity) vulnerability has been detected in 52North WPS affecting versions prior to 4.0.0-beta.11. This vulnerability allows the use of external entities in its WebProcessingService servlet for an attacker to retrieve files by making HTTP requests to the internal network.
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
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/xml-external-entity-reference-52north-wpsThird Party Advisory
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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