CVE-2020-14940 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in io/gpx/GPXDocumentReader.java in TuxGuitar 1.5.4, leading to XXE vulnerability while loading GP6 (.gpx) and GP7 (.gp) tablature files.

Understanding CVE-2020-14940

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in TuxGuitar 1.5.4 that can be exploited through misconfigured XML parsers, resulting in XXE attacks.

What is CVE-2020-14940?

The CVE-2020-14940 vulnerability is caused by improper handling of XML content in TuxGuitar 1.5.4, allowing attackers to execute XXE attacks by loading specific file types.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14940

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to read arbitrary files on the system, leading to potential information disclosure and further exploitation of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14940

TuxGuitar 1.5.4 is susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the misuse of XML parsers in GPXDocumentReader.java, enabling XXE attacks when handling GP6 (.gpx) and GP7 (.gp) files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: TuxGuitar 1.5.4
Vendor: N/A
Versions: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious GP6 and GP7 files that trigger XXE when loaded by the affected TuxGuitar version.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-14940, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid opening untrusted GP6 and GP7 files in TuxGuitar 1.5.4 to prevent potential XXE attacks.
Update TuxGuitar to a patched version that addresses the XML parsing vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to sanitize and validate XML input to prevent XXE vulnerabilities.
Regularly monitor for security updates and patches for TuxGuitar to mitigate future vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe file handling practices to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Consider using alternative software if TuxGuitar is no longer supported or updated.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that TuxGuitar is updated to the latest version that includes fixes for the XML parsing vulnerability to protect against potential XXE attacks.