[NEWS] Xerces-C++ Library Attribute Parsing Denial Of Service

From: SecuriTeam (support_at_securiteam.com)
Date: 10/04/04

  • Next message: SecuriTeam: "[UNIX] Samba Arbitrary File Access Vulnerability" 
    To: list@securiteam.com
Date: 4 Oct 2004 14:19:35 +0200

    The following security advisory is sent to the securiteam mailing list, and can be found at the SecuriTeam web site: http://www.securiteam.com
    - - promotion

    The SecuriTeam alerts list - Free, Accurate, Independent.

    Get your security news from a reliable source.
    http://www.securiteam.com/mailinglist.html

    - - - - - - - - -

      Xerces-C++ Library Attribute Parsing Denial Of Service
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SUMMARY

     <http://xml.apache.org/> Xerces (named after the Xerces Blue butterfly)
    provides world-class XML parsing and generation. Fully-validating parsers
    are available for both Java and C++, implementing the W3C XML and DOM
    (Level 1 and 2) standards, as well as the de facto SAX (version 2)
    standard. The parsers are highly modular and configurable. Initial support
    for XML Schema (draft W3C standard) is also provided.

    A parsing problem has been found in the Xerces C++ library when handling a
    specially crafted XML document. The bug will cause the parses to consume
    all available CPU resources and effectively cause a denial of service.

    DETAILS

    Vulnerable Systems:
     * Xerces-C++ library version 2.5.0

    Immune Systems:
     * Xerces-C++ library version 2.6.0

    An attacker can craft a malicious XML document, which uses XML attributes
    in a way that inflicts a denial of service condition on the target
    machine. The result of this attack is that the XML parser consumes all the
    CPU resources for a long period of time (from seconds to minutes,
    depending on the size of the payload).

    In order to obtain a DoS for several minutes payloads should be about a
    few hundred KBs in magnitude.

    Vendor Status:
    The developers at the Apache XML project have been contacted and a new
    version containing a fix is available. Upgrade to version 2.6.0.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    The information has been provided by <mailto:aksecurity@hotpop.com> Amit
    Klein (AKsecurity).

    ========================================

    This bulletin is sent to members of the SecuriTeam mailing list.
    To unsubscribe from the list, send mail with an empty subject line and body to: list-unsubscribe@securiteam.com
    In order to subscribe to the mailing list, simply forward this email to: list-subscribe@securiteam.com

    ====================
    ====================

    DISCLAIMER:
    The information in this bulletin is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind.
    In no event shall we be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages.

  • Next message: SecuriTeam: "[UNIX] Samba Arbitrary File Access Vulnerability"

    Relevant Pages