CVE-2017-8056 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WatchGuard Fireware v11.12.1 and earlier versions mishandle XML External Entity (XXE) requests in the XML-RPC agent, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2017-8056

This CVE involves a vulnerability in WatchGuard Fireware that can be exploited to crash the Firebox wgagent process, affecting authenticated sessions and overall system performance.

What is CVE-2017-8056?

The XML-RPC agent in WatchGuard Fireware v11.12.1 and earlier versions mishandles requests that reference XML External Entities (XXE). This flaw allows an attacker to trigger a crash in the Firebox wgagent process, disrupting authenticated sessions and potentially degrading system performance.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8056

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a limited Denial of Service (DoS) attack on the targeted Firebox.
The crash of the wgagent process terminates all authenticated sessions, including management connections, and hinders the establishment of new sessions until the process is restored.
The Firebox's overall performance may suffer during the recovery process.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8056

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of XML External Entity (XXE) references in the XML-RPC agent of WatchGuard Fireware v11.12.1 and earlier versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WatchGuard Fireware
Vendor: WatchGuard
Versions affected: v11.12.1 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending XML-RPC requests containing references to external entities, causing the Firebox wgagent process to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-8056 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by WatchGuard to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious XML-RPC requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch WatchGuard Fireware to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Educate users and administrators on best practices for handling XML-RPC requests.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from WatchGuard.
Promptly apply patches and updates to ensure system security.