CVE-2021-3878CWE-611

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in stanfordnlp/corenlp

Critical · published October 15, 2021

CVSS v3.0
9.8
EPSS
2%
Percentile
79.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 An XML External Entity reference can be exploited, and it’s as dangerous as a library that fetches anything you ask for, no questions asked! 🔥 Imagine a library with a catalog that automatically orders every book referenced in a footnote. If someone can manipulate that catalog, they could summon all sorts of sensitive information, just like this flaw allows attackers to access unauthorized data from your system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files on the server, which could lead to data breaches and massive loss of confidential information. It's absolutely devastating – your internal documents, credentials, or even private customer data could be exposed with just the right manipulation!

Put simply

Imagine a library with a catalog that automatically orders every book referenced in a footnote. If someone can manipulate that catalog, they could summon all sorts of sensitive information, just like this flaw allows attackers to access unauthorized data from your system. This vulnerability in CoreNLP allows attackers to leverage improperly restricted XML External Entities, potentially leading to unauthorized file access and information disclosure.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files on the server, which could lead to data breaches and massive loss of confidential information. It's absolutely devastating – your internal documents, credentials, or even private customer data could be exposed with just the right manipulation! Upgrade CoreNLP to version 4.1.0 or later immediately to patch this vulnerability. Additionally, ensure that XML parsers are configured to disable external entity processing to tighten security. Don’t skip this step! You've got this! Implement these fixes and secure your application against this critical threat! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.0
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01886 · 79.3th percentile
Weakness
CWE-611 · Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Published
2021-10-15T13:40Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 15 OCT 13:40Z
    Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference in stanfordnlp/corenlp
    cvelistv5