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CVE-2018-1000838: autopsy version <= 4.9.0 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in CaseMetadata XML Parser that...

autopsy version <= 4.9.0 contains a XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in CaseMetadata XML Parser that can result in Disclosure of confidential data, denial of service, SSRF, port scanning. This attack appear to be exploitable via Specially crafted CaseMetadata.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Autopsy versions up to 4.9.0 reportedly mishandle XML in case metadata. A malicious case metadata file could cause sensitive data exposure, denial of service, SSRF, or internal port scanning. The sources do not provide CVSS, KEV listing, or confirmed active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted workstation and forensic-lab risk, not an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize inventory, upgrade planning, and isolation for systems handling third-party case data, especially where forensic hosts can access sensitive networks or evidence repositories.

Technical view

CVE-2018-1000838 is an XML External Entity issue in Autopsy's CaseMetadata XML parser, triggered by specially crafted CaseMetadata. Reported impacts include confidential data disclosure, denial of service, SSRF, and port scanning. Affected scope is stated as Autopsy <= 4.9.0; fixed-version evidence is not included in the bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Autopsy <= 4.9.0 is installed and analysts open or import case metadata from external, shared, or untrusted sources. Risk is higher on forensic workstations with access to sensitive files or internal network services.

Exploitation context

The CVE says exploitation is via specially crafted CaseMetadata. The bundle includes a GitHub issue and public blog reference, but no KEV entry and no cited evidence of active exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description and cited public references. No CVSS vector, CWE, CPE, KEV status, or fixed-version detail is provided. Do not assume broad product impact beyond Autopsy <= 4.9.0 and the CaseMetadata parser path described.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory Autopsy installations and identify versions at or below 4.9.0.
  • Avoid opening untrusted CaseMetadata or case files in vulnerable Autopsy versions.
  • Check Sleuth Kit/Autopsy guidance and upgrade when a fixed supported release is confirmed.
  • Run Autopsy case analysis in an isolated workstation or restricted network segment.
  • Limit outbound network access from forensic analysis hosts where operationally feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether Autopsy <= 4.9.0 exists on analyst workstations or lab systems.
  • Review workflows for imported, shared, or externally supplied CaseMetadata files.
  • Check vendor issue and release notes for the confirmed remediation version.
  • Verify forensic workstations cannot freely reach sensitive internal services.
  • Document residual exposure if vulnerable versions must remain in use.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Cloud metadata behavior lookup

The CVE wording references SSRF or metadata access, so cloud discovery and credential material review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-1000838 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.