📄 Description (English)
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit a weakness in the XML parser functionality of Lobster_pro prior to version 4.12.6-GA. This allows them to obtain read access to files on the application server and adjacent network shares, and perform HTTP GET requests to arbitrary services.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2024-13971 is a critical XML External Entity (XXE) injection vulnerability in Lobster_pro versions prior to 4.12.6-GA that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files from application servers and perform unauthorized HTTP requests. With a CVSS score of 7.5 and publicly available exploits, this vulnerability poses an immediate threat to organizations using affected versions. The lack of authentication requirement significantly increases the attack surface and exploitation likelihood.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 7, 2026 04:48
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations in the financial services sector (SAMA-regulated banks), government agencies (NCA oversight), and energy companies that may utilize Lobster_pro for document management or content delivery. The ability to read arbitrary files could expose sensitive data including financial records, government documents, and operational information. Organizations in healthcare and telecommunications sectors using this software are also at risk. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit makes this particularly dangerous for internet-facing deployments.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Energy and Utilities
Healthcare
Telecommunications
Document Management Services
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all instances of Lobster_pro in your environment and document version numbers
2. Isolate or restrict network access to affected Lobster_pro instances immediately
3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block XXE payloads and suspicious XML patterns
4. Monitor access logs for exploitation attempts (look for XML entities, file:// URIs, and external entity references)
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade to Lobster_pro version 4.12.6-GA or later immediately
2. If immediate patching is not possible, disable XML parsing functionality if not critical to operations
3. Implement input validation to reject XML with DOCTYPE declarations or external entity references
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Deploy network segmentation to limit lateral movement from compromised instances
2. Implement strict firewall rules to prevent outbound HTTP/HTTPS requests from application servers
3. Apply principle of least privilege to service accounts running Lobster_pro
4. Enable detailed logging and alerting for file access attempts
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for HTTP requests containing XML payloads with DOCTYPE, ENTITY, or SYSTEM keywords
2. Alert on file:// protocol usage in application logs
3. Track unusual outbound connections from Lobster_pro processes
4. Monitor for access to sensitive files (/etc/passwd, configuration files, network shares)
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع حالات Lobster_pro في بيئتك وقم بتوثيق أرقام الإصدارات
2. عزل أو تقييد الوصول إلى الشبكة لحالات Lobster_pro المتأثرة فوراً
3. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب لحجب حمولات XXE والأنماط المريبة
4. مراقبة سجلات الوصول لمحاولات الاستغلال
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. قم بالترقية إلى Lobster_pro الإصدار 4.12.6-GA أو أحدث فوراً
2. إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً، قم بتعطيل وظيفة تحليل XML إن لم تكن حرجة
3. تنفيذ التحقق من صحة المدخلات لرفض XML مع إعلانات DOCTYPE أو مراجع الكيانات الخارجية
الضوابط البديلة:
1. نشر تقسيم الشبكة لتحديد الحركة الجانبية من الحالات المخترقة
2. تطبيق قواعد جدار الحماية الصارمة لمنع الطلبات الصادرة من خوادم التطبيقات
3. تطبيق مبدأ أقل امتياز لحسابات الخدمة التي تشغل Lobster_pro
4. تفعيل السجلات التفصيلية والتنبيهات لمحاولات الوصول إلى الملفات
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات HTTP التي تحتوي على حمولات XML مع كلمات DOCTYPE أو ENTITY أو SYSTEM
2. تنبيه على استخدام بروتوكول file:// في سجلات التطبيقات
3. تتبع الاتصالات الصادرة غير العادية من عمليات Lobster_pro
4. مراقبة الوصول إلى الملفات الحساسة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 - Access Control and Authentication
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Change Management
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.BE-1 - Business Environment
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control
SAMA CSF PR.PT-1 - Security Architecture and Design
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Analysis
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.1 - Policies for Information Security
ISO 27001:2022 A.6.1 - Screening
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security Patches and Updates
PCI DSS 6.5.1 - Injection Flaws
PCI DSS 11.2 - Vulnerability Scanning
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
lobster-world:lobster_pro