XML External Entity (XXE) Attack
The XML External Entity (XXE) attack is a type of attack that exploits a vulnerability in XML parsers. These parsers are used to read and parse XML documents, which are often used to exchange information between different systems.
The attack works by including malicious code in an XML file that is then processed by an XML parser. This malicious code can be used to perform a variety of attacks, including stealing sensitive data or executing arbitrary code on the target system.
The XXE attack is particularly dangerous because it can be used to bypass security measures such as firewalls and access control systems. This is because the XML file is usually considered safe and is not typically scanned for malicious code.
To defend against XXE attacks, it is important to use secure XML parsers that are configured to reject external entities by default. Additionally, XML files should be carefully examined and validated before they are processed to ensure that they do not contain any malicious code.
In summary, the XXE attack exploits a weakness in XML parsers to execute malicious code on a target system. To protect against this attack, it is important to use secure parsers and carefully validate all incoming XML files.