XML External Entity (XXE) Injection Affecting php:8.1/php-embedded package, versions <0:8.1.27-1.module_el9.3.0+53+44872dd1


Severity

Recommended
medium

Based on AlmaLinux security rating.

Threat Intelligence

EPSS
0.11% (45th percentile)

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  • Snyk IDSNYK-ALMALINUX9-PHP-6207319
  • published26 Jan 2024
  • disclosed24 Jan 2024

Introduced: 24 Jan 2024

CVE-2023-3823  (opens in a new tab)
CWE-611  (opens in a new tab)

How to fix?

Upgrade AlmaLinux:9 php:8.1/php-embedded to version 0:8.1.27-1.module_el9.3.0+53+44872dd1 or higher.
This issue was patched in ALSA-2024:0387.

NVD Description

Note: Versions mentioned in the description apply only to the upstream php:8.1/php-embedded package and not the php:8.1/php-embedded package as distributed by AlmaLinux. See How to fix? for AlmaLinux:9 relevant fixed versions and status.

In PHP versions 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8 various XML functions rely on libxml global state to track configuration variables, like whether external entities are loaded. This state is assumed to be unchanged unless the user explicitly changes it by calling appropriate function. However, since the state is process-global, other modules - such as ImageMagick - may also use this library within the same process, and change that global state for their internal purposes, and leave it in a state where external entities loading is enabled. This can lead to the situation where external XML is parsed with external entities loaded, which can lead to disclosure of any local files accessible to PHP. This vulnerable state may persist in the same process across many requests, until the process is shut down.

CVSS Scores

version 3.1