Multiple vendor SOAP server (XML parser) denial of service (DTD parameter entities)

[Amit Klein <Amit.Klein () SanctumInc com>]

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//==========================>> Security Advisory 
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-----[ Multiple vendor SOAP server (XML parser) denial of service
                      (DTD parameter entities)
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--[ Author: Amit Klein, Sanctum inc. http://www.SanctumInc.com

--[ Vendors alerted: August 28th, 2003

--[ Release Date: December 11th, 2003

--[ Product:

IBM WebSphere 5.0.0 (even when patched with "old" PQ70921)

Microsoft ASP.NET Web Services (.NET framework 1.0, .NET framework 1.1)

... And probably other products which use XML parsers

--[ Severity: High

--[ CVE: N/A

--[ Description

The DTD part of the XML document enables the document to define parameter
entities, which are used (only) inside the DTD as a shortname for repeating
DTD definitions. An attacker can send a specially crafted SOAP request, 
which
makes use of parameter entities to inflict a denial of service condition on
the server. In some cases, the parser returns an out of memory error 
after a long while.
In some other cases, the CPU load remains stable at 100% for as long as 
the process
keeps running. Another effect is that memory (hundreds of megabytes) was 
not freed
even when the CPU load dropped and a response was issued.

--[ Solution

IBM WebSPhere 5.0.0 - IBM has released a new version of PQ70921 Which 
can be found in
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&context=SSEQTP&q=PQ70921&uid=swg24005582
Apply the new patch PQ70921 (even if it was applied earlier).

Microsoft ASP.NET Web Services - Microsoft has released an update to the 
.NET Framework.
It is documented in Knowledge Base article 826231, at the following URL:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=826231