Description
The software uses external input to dynamically construct an XPath expression used to retrieve data from an XML database, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes that input. This allows an attacker to control the structure of the query.
The net effect is that the attacker will have control over the information selected from the XML database and may use that ability to control application flow, modify logic, retrieve unauthorized data, or bypass important checks (e.g. authentication).
Modes of Introduction:
– Implementation
Likelihood of Exploit: High
Related Weaknesses
Consequences
Access Control: Bypass Protection Mechanism
Controlling application flow (e.g. bypassing authentication).
Confidentiality: Read Application Data
The attacker could read restricted XML content.
Potential Mitigations
Phase: Implementation
Description:
Use parameterized XPath queries (e.g. using XQuery). This will help ensure separation between data plane and control plane.
Phase: Implementation
Description:
Properly validate user input. Reject data where appropriate, filter where appropriate and escape where appropriate. Make sure input that will be used in XPath queries is safe in that context.