CVE-2016-5002: Xmlrpc Apache XML-RPC XXE Vulnerability Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-wp35-6jqv-r33m
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CVSS 7.8
CWE-611
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-5002 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.8) apache xml-rpc xxe vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) affecting Xmlrpc libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache xml-rpc xxe vulnerability. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2016-5002 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-5002
GHSA Identifier GHSA-wp35-6jqv-r33m
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.8
CWE Classification CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Affected Product Xmlrpc
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

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

How to Fix CVE-2016-5002

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Xmlrpc 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.apache.xmlrpc:xmlrpc fixed: Latest secure release 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.xmlrpc</groupId>
    <artifactId>xmlrpc</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.apache.xmlrpc

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2016-5002, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.xmlrpc

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Xmlrpc 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.apache.xmlrpc 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 Xmlrpc, 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

XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the Apache XML-RPC (aka ws-xmlrpc) library 3.1.3, as used in Apache Archiva, allows remote attackers to conduct server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks via a crafted DTD.

CVE-2016-5002 Affected Xmlrpc Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.xmlrpc:xmlrpc
maven/org.apache.xmlrpc/xmlrpc
Maven
≤ 3.1.3

References

NVD — CVE-2016-5002 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-5002
access.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2018:37... WEB
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3768
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/115... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/115042
Xmlrpc Security Information SECURITY
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-26
Xmlrpc Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20210123151805/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91736
Xmlrpc Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20211021044107/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036294
web.archive.org/web/20230520164025/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20230520164025/https://0ang3el.blogspot.com/2016/07/beware-of-ws-xmlrpc-library-in-your.html
Xmlrpc Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/12/5
Xmlrpc Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91736
Xmlrpc Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036294

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-5002?
CVE-2016-5002 is a security vulnerability in Xmlrpc involving Apache XML-RPC XXE Vulnerability under CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference.
Which Xmlrpc versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: org.apache.xmlrpc:xmlrpc.
What version fixes CVE-2016-5002?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is xmlrpc affected?
Yes, org.apache.xmlrpc:xmlrpc 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-2016-5002?
CVE-2016-5002 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-5002?
CVE-2016-5002 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-2016-5002?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.xmlrpc'. 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-wp35-6jqv-r33m",
  "modified" : "2023-07-28T18:41:18Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-14T01:53:10Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-5002" ],
  "summary" : "Apache XML-RPC XXE Vulnerability",
  "details" : "XML external entity (XXE) vulnerability in the Apache XML-RPC (aka ws-xmlrpc) library 3.1.3, as used in Apache Archiva, allows remote attackers to conduct server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks via a crafted DTD.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.xmlrpc:xmlrpc"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "3.1.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-5002"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3768"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/115042"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-26"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20210123151805/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91736"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20211021044107/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036294"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20230520164025/https://0ang3el.blogspot.com/2016/07/beware-of-ws-xmlrpc-library-in-your.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/12/5"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91736"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036294"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-611" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-07-28T18:41:18Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2017-10-27T18:29:00Z"
  }
}