CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-22218NVD status: Deferred

xml_jdbc: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-22218 is a high-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in xml_jdbc from Terminalfour, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected xml_jdbc versions: 1.0.4 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.72% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 55% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of xml_jdbc you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Terminalfourxml_jdbc1.0.4 and earlierNot stated
Terminalfourterminalfour8.0.0001 through 8.3.18Not 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
LowA basic user account is enough.
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
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

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

Official description

XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in Terminalfour 8.0.0001 through 8.3.18 and XML JDBC versions up to 1.0.4 allows authenticated users to submit malicious XML via unspecified features which could lead to various actions such as accessing the underlying server, remote code execution (RCE), or performing Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks.

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: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities

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