CVE-2016-5397 in Thrift
Summary
by MITRE
The Apache Thrift Go client library exposed the potential during code generation for command injection due to using an external formatting tool. Affected Apache Thrift 0.9.3 and older, Fixed in Apache Thrift 0.10.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5397 resides within the Apache Thrift Go client library and represents a critical command injection flaw that emerged during the code generation process. This security weakness specifically impacts versions 0.9.3 and earlier of the Apache Thrift framework, which is widely utilized for cross-language software development and RPC communication. The vulnerability stems from the library's reliance on external formatting tools during code generation, creating an environment where malicious input could be executed as system commands. The flaw manifests when user-provided data containing shell metacharacters is processed through the code generation pipeline without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary commands that execute with the privileges of the code generation process. This represents a significant security risk as it enables remote attackers to potentially compromise systems where the Thrift library is used for code generation, particularly in environments where the code generation process runs with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The flaw occurs within the Go client library's code generation mechanism where external formatting tools are invoked to process generated code, creating a path for command injection attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the code generation layer rather than at runtime, meaning that an attacker could potentially inject malicious commands during the development phase that would execute when the code is generated, thereby compromising the development environment or the systems where the generated code is deployed. The attack vector typically involves supplying malicious input through Thrift IDL files or other data structures that feed into the code generation process, where the input is then passed to external formatting tools without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5397 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when the code generation process is performed on development or build servers. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, installing backdoors, or escalating privileges within the development environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in continuous integration environments where automated code generation processes run with elevated privileges, as it could enable attackers to compromise entire build pipelines and development infrastructure. The impact is further amplified by the widespread adoption of Apache Thrift across various organizations and applications, meaning that a single vulnerable installation could represent a significant attack surface for threat actors targeting software development environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5397 primarily focus on upgrading to Apache Thrift version 0.10.0 or later, which includes fixes that address the command injection vulnerability in the code generation process. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all data fed into the code generation pipeline, ensuring that any user-provided input is properly escaped or filtered before processing. Additional protective measures include running code generation processes with minimal required privileges, implementing network segmentation to isolate development environments, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns in system logs. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews of any custom code that interacts with the Thrift library's code generation capabilities and ensure that external formatting tools are properly configured to prevent command injection attacks. The fix implemented in Apache Thrift 0.10.0 specifically addresses the root cause by modifying how external tools are invoked during code generation, ensuring that user input is properly escaped and sanitized before being passed to these external processes. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure code generation practices and the potential security implications of relying on external tools within development workflows.