Discover the crucial control to prevent attacks against applications processing XML input. Gain expert insights for the CompTIA CySA+ CS0-002 certification exam.
Table of Contents
Question
During an investigation, an analyst discovers a server is vulnerable to an attack against an application that processes XML input. Which of the following controls must be in place to prevent such an attack?
A. Filter all inputs, applying the allow list concept for each parameter from XML content.
B. Enable an XML external entity and escape each parameter that is received through the XML file.
C. Implement parameterized queries for each XML parser.
D. Disable document type definitions completely using the proper method for each parser.
Answer
A. Filter all inputs, applying the allow list concept for each parameter from XML content.
Explanation
To prevent attacks against applications that process XML input, it is essential to filter all inputs and apply the allow list concept for each parameter from the XML content. This approach ensures that only expected and approved values are accepted, reducing the risk of malicious data being processed.
By implementing strict input validation using an allow list, the application can reject any input that does not conform to the predefined set of acceptable values. This helps mitigate various XML-based attacks, such as XML injection, XML external entity (XXE) attacks, and other types of data manipulation.
The allow list approach is more secure than a deny list because it explicitly defines what is allowed rather than attempting to block known malicious inputs. This proactive measure reduces the chances of overlooking potential attack vectors.
To effectively implement this control, the application should validate and filter each parameter extracted from the XML content against a well-defined allow list. The allow list should be carefully crafted to include only the expected and safe values for each parameter based on the application’s requirements.
By applying this control, the application can significantly enhance its security posture and protect against attacks that target the processing of XML input.
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