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Insecure service configuration - DocumentBuilderFactory

Description​

DocumentBuilderFactory is insecurely configured, which makes it susceptible to XXE attacks.

Impact​

  • Read confidential information.
  • Execute commands on the server.

Recommendation​

Securely configure DocumentBuilderFactory.

Threat​

Authorized attacker from the Internet.

Expected Remediation Time​

⌚ 30 minutes.

Score​

Default score using CVSS 3.1. It may change depending on the context of the vulnerability.

Base​

  • Attack vector: N
  • Attack complexity: H
  • Privileges required: L
  • User interaction: R
  • Scope: U
  • Confidentiality: L
  • Integrity: L
  • Availability: N

Temporal​

  • Exploit code madurity: P
  • Remediation level: O
  • Report confidence: R

Result​

  • Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:R
  • Score:
    • Base: 3.7
    • Temporal: 3.2
  • Severity:
    • Base: Low
    • Temporal: Low

Code Examples​

Compliant code​

There are additional settings in the DocumentBuilderFactory to securely configure the service

import com.sap.security.hardener.nw.facade.HardenerFacade;

public static DocumentBuilderFactory secureDocumentBuilderFactory(final DocumentBuilderFactory factory, final String    callerNamespace) throws ParserConfigurationException{
  DocumentBuilderFactory dbFactory = DocumentBuilderFactory.newInstance();
  //One possible method to secure the DocumentBuildeerFactory
  dbFactory = HardenerFacade.secureDocumentBuilderFactory(dbFactory);
  DocumentBuilder parser = dbf.newDocumentBuilder();
  parser.setErrorHandler(handler);
  return parser.parse(stream);
}

Non compliant code​

The DocumentBuilderFactory does not have a secure configuration

public static DocumentBuilderFactory secureDocumentBuilderFactory(final DocumentBuilderFactory factory, final String    callerNamespace) throws ParserConfigurationException{
  DocumentBuilderFactory dbf = DocumentBuilderFactory.newInstance();
  dbf.setNamespaceAware(true);
  DocumentBuilder parser = dbf.newDocumentBuilder();
  parser.setErrorHandler(handler);
  return parser.parse(stream);
}

Requirements​

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