XML External Entities Definition:
XML External Entities (XXE) is a security Vulnerability that occurs when an XML parser improperly processes external entities within XML input. This Vulnerability can allow attackers to read local files, execute remote requests, or cause Denial of Service by Exploiting XML documents that reference external entities.
What is XML External Entities?
XXE attacks take advantage of XML parsers that support the loading of external entities. By crafting malicious XML data, attackers can manipulate the parser to access restricted files, expose sensitive information, or interact with remote systems. This type of attack typically occurs in applications that accept user-uploaded XML files or parse XML data directly.
Why is XML External Entities important?
The purpose of an XXE attack is to gain unauthorised access to information, execute remote code, or disrupt services by Exploiting weaknesses in XML processing. Attackers target XXE vulnerabilities to extract sensitive data, such as configuration files or credentials, and potentially compromise entire systems.
How does XML External Entities work?
An XXE attack is executed by injecting a malicious entity reference in an XML document. When the parser processes the document, it attempts to resolve the external entity, inadvertently allowing access to restricted resources or triggering actions. To prevent XXE attacks, developers can disable external entity processing in the XML parser or use safer parsing libraries.
XML External Entities Examples:
Examples of XXE attacks include injecting an XML payload that references a local file, such as '/etc/passwd' on Unix systems, to retrieve its contents. Another example is Exploiting an XXE Vulnerability to trigger requests to internal network resources, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further attacks.
XML External Entities Issues:
XXE vulnerabilities pose significant security risks, especially in applications handling untrusted XML data. To mitigate XXE risks, organisations should disable external entity processing in XML parsers, validate input rigorously, and use up-to-date libraries with secure XML parsing configurations. Regular code reviews and security testing are also essential to detect and prevent XXE vulnerabilities.
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