CVE-2005-3008 in Tofu
Summary
by MITRE
Tofu 0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Python code via crafted pickled objects, which Tofu unpickles and executes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3008 represents a critical security flaw in the Tofu 0.2 web application framework that operates under the Python programming environment. This vulnerability specifically targets the framework's handling of serialized data objects, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code on affected systems. The flaw stems from the framework's improper validation and handling of pickled objects, which are serialized Python objects used for data persistence and transmission. When Tofu 0.2 processes these pickled objects, it fails to implement adequate security measures to prevent the execution of arbitrary code during the unmarshaling process, thereby exposing the underlying system to potential compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages Python's pickle module functionality, which is designed for serializing and deserializing Python object structures. Attackers can craft specially formatted pickled objects that contain malicious Python code when the Tofu framework attempts to deserialize them. This process occurs during normal application operation when the framework receives and processes serialized data from external sources. The vulnerability operates at the core of Python's object serialization mechanism, where the load() or loads() functions are used to deserialize pickled data, creating an execution path that bypasses normal security controls. The flaw is categorized under CWE-502 as "Deserialization of Untrusted Data," which is a well-documented weakness in software systems that handle serialized object data from untrusted sources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations using Tofu 0.2 as their web application framework. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw from any location to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on systems running vulnerable versions of the framework. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python," as it enables attackers to execute Python commands through the framework's deserialization process, potentially leading to further lateral movement within compromised networks.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3008 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of Tofu that properly validates and sanitizes serialized data inputs. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls that prevent the processing of untrusted serialized data or implement alternative serialization methods that do not involve Python's pickle module. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable applications, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious serialized data, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that avoid using potentially dangerous deserialization functions with untrusted input sources, as recommended by both CWE guidelines and industry security frameworks.