# CVE-2018-8033: XML external entity in Apache OFBiz

> An attacker can exploit an XML External Entity vulnerability in the HTTP engine to read secret information from the host.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 13 Dec 2018
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2v2f-rp8w-vrxh

## What is CVE-2018-8033?

CVE-2018-8033 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Ofbiz, published on 13 Dec 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In Apache OFBiz 16.11.01 to 16.11.04, the OFBiz HTTP engine (org.apache.ofbiz.service.engine.HttpEngine.java) handles requests for HTTP services via the /webtools/control/httpService endpoint. Both POST and GET requests to the httpService endpoint may contain three parameters: serviceName, serviceMode, and serviceContext. The exploitation occurs by having DOCTYPEs pointing to external references that trigger a payload that returns secret information from the host.

Weakness: CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8033?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Apache Ofbiz.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-8033?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-8033 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-8033 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-8033 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Apache OFBiz 16.11.04 is susceptible to XML external entity injection (XXE injection) (github_poc): https://github.com/Cappricio-Securities/CVE-2018-8033
- Apache OFBiz - XML External Entity Injection (nuclei): http/cves/2018/CVE-2018-8033.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Ofbiz

- [CVE-2024-45195](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-45195/): Apache OFBiz Forced Browsing (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-32113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32113/): Apache OFBiz Path Traversal (critical 9.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-38856](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-38856/): Apache OFBiz Incorrect Authorization (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-2250](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2250/): Code injection in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2012-3506](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-3506/): Unspecified vulnerability in the Apache Open For Business Project (aka OFBiz) 10.04.x before 10.04.03 has unknown impact and attack vectors. (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-8033 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-8033 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Ofbiz, published on 13 Dec 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-8033 exists.

Affected product: Apache Ofbiz. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8033/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8033/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-8033
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8033
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-8033

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8033/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.