CVE-2021-43576: Pom2config XXE Vulnerability Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-ppv9-v43c-xqpp
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CVSS 6.5
CWE-611
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-43576 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.5) xxe vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) affecting Pom2config libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves xxe vulnerability in jenkins pom2config plugin. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2021-43576 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-43576
GHSA Identifier GHSA-ppv9-v43c-xqpp
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.5
CWE Classification CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Affected Product Pom2config
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:H/I:N/A:N).

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 High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2021-43576

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Pom2config dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.jenkins-ci.plugins:pom2config fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.jenkins-ci.plugins</groupId>
    <artifactId>pom2config</artifactId>
    <version>Latest secure release</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=org.jenkins-ci.plugins

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-43576, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.jenkins-ci.plugins

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Pom2config in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.jenkins-ci.plugins 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-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, where the 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. In Pom2config, 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

Jenkins pom2config Plugin 1.2 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks. This allows attackers with Overall/Read and Item/Read permissions to have Jenkins parse a crafted XML file that uses external entities for extraction of secrets from the Jenkins controller or server-side request forgery. As of publication of this advisory, there is no fix.

CVE-2021-43576 Affected Pom2config Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.jenkins-ci.plugins:pom2config
maven/org.jenkins-ci.plugins/pom2config
Maven
≤ 1.2

References

NVD — CVE-2021-43576 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43576
Pom2config Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/jenkinsci/pom2config-plugin
Pom2config Security Information SECURITY
https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-11-12/#SECURITY-2415
www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/zdi-21-1... WEB
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1314
Pom2config Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/11/12/1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-43576?
CVE-2021-43576 is a security vulnerability in Pom2config involving XXE vulnerability in Jenkins pom2config Plugin under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference.
Which Pom2config versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: org.jenkins-ci.plugins:pom2config.
What version fixes CVE-2021-43576?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is pom2config affected?
Yes, org.jenkins-ci.plugins:pom2config is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-43576?
CVE-2021-43576 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:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-43576?
CVE-2021-43576 is classified under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (The 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.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-43576?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.jenkins-ci.plugins'. 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-ppv9-v43c-xqpp",
  "modified" : "2023-10-27T16:08:37Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-24T19:20:33Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-43576" ],
  "summary" : "XXE vulnerability in Jenkins pom2config Plugin",
  "details" : "Jenkins pom2config Plugin 1.2 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.\n\nThis allows attackers with Overall/Read and Item/Read permissions to have Jenkins parse a crafted XML file that uses external entities for extraction of secrets from the Jenkins controller or server-side request forgery.\n\nAs of publication of this advisory, there is no fix.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.jenkins-ci.plugins:pom2config"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "1.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43576"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/pom2config-plugin"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-11-12/#SECURITY-2415"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1314"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/11/12/1"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-611" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-12-15T16:42:36Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-11-12T11:15:00Z"
  }
}