Détail du CAPEC-528

An adversary may execute a flooding attack using XML messages with the intent to deny legitimate users access to a web service. These attacks are accomplished by sending a large number of XML based requests and letting the service attempt to parse each one. In many cases this type of an attack will result in a XML Denial of Service (XDoS) due to an application becoming unstable, freezing, or crashing.

Flux d'exécution

[Survey the target] Using a browser or an automated tool, an attacker records all instance of web services to process XML requests.

• Use an automated tool to record all instances of URLs to process XML requests.
• Use a browser to manually explore the website and analyze how the application processes XML requests.

An adversary crafts input data that may have an adverse effect on the operation of the web service when the XML data sent to the service.

[Launch a resource depletion attack] The attacker delivers a large number of XML messages to the target URLs found in the explore phase at a sufficiently rapid rate. It causes denial of service to the target application.

• Send a large number of crafted XML messages to the target URL.

Conditions préalables

The target must receive and process XML transactions.
An adverssary must possess the ability to generate a large amount of XML based messages to send to the target service.

Compétences requises

Denial of service

Atténuations

Design: Build throttling mechanism into the resource allocation. Provide for a timeout mechanism for allocated resources whose transaction does not complete within a specified interval.
Implementation: Provide for network flow control and traffic shaping to control access to the resources.

Faiblesses connexes

Soumission

Modifications