XML Routing Detour Attacks
Attack Pattern ID: 219 (Standard Attack Pattern Completeness: Stub)Typical Severity: MediumStatus: Draft
+ Description

Summary

An attacker subverts an intermediate system used to process XML content and forces the intermediate modify and/or re-route the processing of the content. XML Routing Detour Attacks are Man in the Middle type attacks. The attacker compromises or inserts an intermediate system in the processing of the XML message. For example, WS-Routing can be used to specify a series of nodes or intermediaries through which content is passed. If any of the intermediate nodes in this route are compromised by an attacker they could be used for a routing detour attack. From the compromised system the attacker is able to route the XML process to other nodes of her choice and modify the responses so that the normal chain of processing is unaware of the interception. This system can forward the message to an outside entity and hide the forwarding and processing from the legitimate processing systems by altering the header information.

+ Attack Prerequisites

The targeted system must have multiple stage processing of XML content.

+ Resources Required

The attacker must be able to insert or compromise a system into the processing path for the transaction.

+ Solutions and Mitigations

Design: Specify a minimum number intermediate systems for the request and require SSL connections with mutual authentication.

Implementation: SSL connections between all parties with mutual authentication.

+ Related Weaknesses
CWE-IDWeakness NameWeakness Relationship Type
441Unintended Proxy/IntermediaryTargeted
610Externally Controlled Reference to a Resource in Another SphereSecondary
+ Related Attack Patterns
NatureTypeIDNameDescriptionView(s) this relationship pertains toView\(s\)
ChildOfAttack PatternAttack Pattern94Man in the Middle Attack 
Mechanism of Attack (primary)1000
ChildOfCategoryCategory365WASC Threat Classification 2.0 - WASC-32 - Routing Detour 
WASC Threat Classification 2.0333