CVE-2011-3597 in Digest
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in the Digest module before 1.17 for Perl allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the new constructor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The CVE-2011-3597 vulnerability represents a critical evaluation injection flaw within the Perl Digest module prior to version 1.17, presenting a significant security risk for systems relying on this widely-used cryptographic hashing library. This vulnerability specifically affects the new constructor method of the Digest module, which is commonly employed in web applications and server-side scripts for generating cryptographic hashes and message digests. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the module's constructor implementation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary Perl code that gets executed within the context of the running application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can influence the parameters passed to the Digest module's new constructor method. Through careful manipulation of input data, an attacker can craft malicious payloads that bypass normal input validation mechanisms and are subsequently processed through Perl's eval function. This execution path transforms what should be a simple cryptographic operation into a potential command execution vector, allowing adversaries to run arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that successful exploitation requires specific conditions related to how the Digest module is invoked within the target application, making it particularly insidious as it may not be immediately apparent during routine security assessments.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3597 extends beyond simple code execution, potentially enabling full system compromise when the affected application processes untrusted input through the vulnerable Digest module. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malicious payloads within the compromised environment. Given that the Digest module is a fundamental component used across numerous Perl-based web applications and system tools, the potential attack surface is extensive and affects organizations utilizing various Perl applications, from simple scripts to complex enterprise systems. The vulnerability particularly impacts web applications that handle user input for cryptographic operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit server-side vulnerabilities in Perl environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3597 primarily focus on immediate remediation through upgrading to Digest module version 1.17 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable versions of the Digest module and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of application architecture can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities, aligning with CWE-74 standards for injection flaws. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential attack vectors, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies and implementing robust code review processes to prevent similar injection flaws in custom Perl applications, with mitigation strategies mapping to ATT&CK techniques related to command and control operations and privilege escalation through code injection.