CVE-2022-23437: XercesImpl Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-h65f-jvqw-m9fj
Share
CVSS 6.5
CWE-91
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-23437 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.5) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection)) affecting XercesImpl libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves infinite loop in apache xerces java. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.12.2.

CVE-2022-23437 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-23437
GHSA Identifier GHSA-h65f-jvqw-m9fj
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.5
CWE Classification CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection)
Affected Product XercesImpl
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2022-23437

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected XercesImpl dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

xerces:xercesImpl fixed: 2.12.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>xerces</groupId>
    <artifactId>xercesImpl</artifactId>
    <version>2.12.2</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=xerces

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2022-23437, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=xerces

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of XercesImpl in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.12.2), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=xerces command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection), where the product does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in xml, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the xml before it is processed by an end system. In XercesImpl, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

There's a vulnerability within the Apache Xerces Java (XercesJ) XML parser when handling specially crafted XML document payloads. This causes, the XercesJ XML parser to wait in an infinite loop, which may sometimes consume system resources for prolonged duration. This vulnerability is present within XercesJ version 2.12.1 and the previous versions.

CVE-2022-23437 Affected XercesImpl Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.12.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
xerces:xercesImpl
maven/xerces/xercesImpl
Maven
< 2.12.2
2.12.2

References

NVD — CVE-2022-23437 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23437
XercesImpl Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/jboss/xerces
lists.apache.org/thread/6pjwm10bb69k... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/6pjwm10bb69kq955fzr1n0nflnjd27dl
XercesImpl Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221028-0005
XercesImpl Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
XercesImpl Security Information SECURITY
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html
XercesImpl Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/24/3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-23437?
CVE-2022-23437 is a security vulnerability in XercesImpl involving Infinite Loop in Apache Xerces Java under CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection).
Which XercesImpl versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.12.2 across affected packages: xerces:xercesImpl.
What version fixes CVE-2022-23437?
Upgrading to 2.12.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is xercesImpl affected?
Yes, xerces:xercesImpl is affected in releases prior to 2.12.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.12.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-23437?
CVE-2022-23437 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-23437?
CVE-2022-23437 is classified under CWE-91: XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection) (The product does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in XML, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the XML before it is processed by an end system.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2022-23437?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=xerces'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-h65f-jvqw-m9fj",
  "modified" : "2023-06-22T19:15:05Z",
  "published" : "2022-01-27T16:13:07Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-23437" ],
  "summary" : "Infinite Loop in Apache Xerces Java",
  "details" : "There's a vulnerability within the Apache Xerces Java (XercesJ) XML parser when handling specially crafted XML document payloads. This causes, the XercesJ XML parser to wait in an infinite loop, which may sometimes consume system resources for prolonged duration. This vulnerability is present within XercesJ version 2.12.1 and the previous versions.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "xerces:xercesImpl"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.12.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23437"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/jboss/xerces"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/6pjwm10bb69kq955fzr1n0nflnjd27dl"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221028-0005"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/24/3"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-91" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-01-25T20:46:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-01-24T15:15:00Z"
  }
}