CVE-2017-15691 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-15691, a vulnerability in Apache UIMA versions prior to 2.10.2, 3.0.0-beta, uima-as prior to 2.10.2, uimaFIT prior to 2.4.0, and uimaDUCC prior to 2.2.2, allowing XML external entity expansion (XXE) attacks.
CVE-2017-15691, published on April 26, 2018, relates to a vulnerability in Apache UIMA versions prior to 2.10.2, 3.0.0-beta, uima-as prior to 2.10.2, uimaFIT prior to 2.4.0, and uimaDUCC prior to 2.2.2, allowing XML external entity expansion (XXE) attacks.
Understanding CVE-2017-15691
This CVE entry highlights the risk of information disclosure due to XXE vulnerabilities in Apache UIMA.
What is CVE-2017-15691?
CVE-2017-15691 exposes a security flaw in Apache UIMA versions, potentially leading to the inadvertent disclosure of local files or internal content through XML parsers.
The Impact of CVE-2017-15691
The vulnerability allows malicious entities to exploit XML parsers, potentially accessing sensitive information stored in local files or internal systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-15691
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Apache UIMA versions allows for XML external entity expansion, enabling attackers to access and disclose sensitive information.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Apache UIMA versions prior to 2.10.2
- Apache UIMA 3.0.0-xxx prior to 3.0.0-beta
- Apache uima-as prior to 2.10.2
- Apache uimaFIT prior to 2.4.0
- Apache uimaDUCC prior to 2.2.2
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating XML parsers to access and retrieve unauthorized information.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-15691 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Apache UIMA to versions 2.10.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement strict input validation to prevent malicious XML input.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor and audit XML processing activities for suspicious behavior.
- Educate developers and administrators on secure XML parsing practices.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by Apache Software Foundation.