CVE-2014-3515 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The SPL component in PHP before 5.4.30 and 5.5.x before 5.5.14 incorrectly anticipates that certain data structures will have the array data type after unserialization, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted string that triggers use of a Hashtable destructor, related to "type confusion" issues in (1) ArrayObject and (2) SPLObjectStorage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3515 represents a critical type confusion flaw within PHP's Standard PHP Library component that affects versions prior to 5.4.30 and 5.5.14. This issue stems from improper handling of serialized data structures during the unserialization process, creating a pathway for remote code execution through maliciously crafted input. The vulnerability specifically targets the SPL (Standard PHP Library) components including ArrayObject and SPLObjectStorage, which are fundamental parts of PHP's core functionality and widely used across web applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper type checking mechanism within PHP's serialization and unserialization routines. When PHP processes serialized data, it expects specific data types to maintain consistency throughout the deserialization process. However, the SPL component fails to properly validate the data types of objects during unserialization, allowing attackers to manipulate serialized strings to force the system into treating objects as different data types than originally intended. This type confusion creates a scenario where a Hashtable destructor receives data that it cannot properly handle, leading to memory corruption and potential arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3515 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring authentication or specific privileges. Attackers can craft malicious serialized strings that, when processed by affected PHP applications, trigger the type confusion vulnerability. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web applications that accept user input, making it a common target for web-based attacks. The attack surface includes any PHP application that utilizes ArrayObject or SPLObjectStorage classes with user-controllable input, which represents a significant portion of web applications.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which describes the weakness of "Incorrectly Handling of Data Type" in software systems. This classification indicates that the flaw involves improper handling of data type information during object serialization and deserialization processes. Additionally, the attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," as the successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for further system compromise.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading of affected PHP installations to versions 5.4.30 or 5.5.14 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the type confusion vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to prevent malicious serialized data from reaching vulnerable PHP components, particularly in applications that process user input through serialization mechanisms. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of serialized data processing, and application firewalls can be configured to block suspicious serialized input patterns. Additionally, developers should avoid using potentially untrusted serialized data in their applications and consider implementing proper sanitization and validation routines for all serialized data processing operations.