CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
low-riskThe product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.
Abstraction: Base
Common Consequences
Confidentiality
→
Read Application Data
Integrity
→
Bypass Protection Mechanism
Availability
→
DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU)
Detection Methods
Automated Static Analysis
Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)
Real-World Examples (10)
| CVE | CVSS | EPSS | KEV |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2019-9670 | 9.8 | 94.4% | Y |
| CVE-2019-9670 | 9.8 | 94.4% | Y |
| CVE-2024-22024 | 8.3 | 94.2% | — |
| CVE-2024-22024 | 8.3 | 94.2% | — |
| CVE-2022-28219 | 9.8 | 94.2% | — |
| CVE-2024-34102 | 9.8 | 94.1% | Y |
| CVE-2017-12629 | 9.8 | 93.9% | — |
| CVE-2020-11991 | 7.5 | 93.1% | — |
| CVE-2024-6893 | 7.5 | 91.4% | — |
| CVE-2024-6893 | 7.5 | 91.4% | — |
16
/ 100
low-risk
Active Threat
14/50 · Low
Exploit Availability
2/50 · Minimal