CVE-2012-6141 in Perl
Summary
by MITRE
The App::Context module 0.01 through 0.968 for Perl does not properly use the Storable::thaw function, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request to (1) App::Session::Cookie or (2) App::Session::HTMLHidden, which is not properly handled when it is deserialized.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6141 affects the App::Context module version 0.01 through 0.968 in Perl environments, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper handling of serialized data. This vulnerability resides within the session management components of the module, specifically in how it processes serialized session data through the Storable::thaw function. The flaw occurs when the module fails to properly validate or sanitize serialized data received from client requests, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper use of Perl's Storable module, which provides serialization and deserialization capabilities for Perl data structures. When App::Session::Cookie or App::Session::HTMLHidden components receive serialized session data, they invoke Storable::thaw without adequate security controls or input validation. This deserialization process allows attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the thaw function, can trigger unintended code execution within the Perl interpreter. The vulnerability essentially transforms the normal session management functionality into a code execution vector through object injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of the App::Context module. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting specially formatted requests that contain malicious serialized data, which gets processed through the vulnerable session handling components. This could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on this Perl module for session management, potentially exposing sensitive data and system resources to unauthorized access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local system access or prior authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6141 involve immediate patching of the App::Context module to versions that properly handle serialized data through secure deserialization practices. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious serialized data from being processed by the session handling components. The use of secure coding practices, including proper error handling and validation of serialized objects, should be enforced within the application codebase. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules can be implemented to limit access to vulnerable applications, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect suspicious serialized data patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, involving exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters for execution.