CVE-2018-8021 in Superset
Summary
by MITRE
Versions of Superset prior to 0.23 used an unsafe load method from the pickle library to deserialize data leading to possible remote code execution. Note Superset 0.23 was released prior to any Superset release under the Apache Software Foundation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8021 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Apache Superset versions prior to 0.23. This issue stems from the application's reliance on the pickle library's unsafe deserialization methods, which creates a fundamental security weakness that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability exists in the legacy Superset codebase that was developed before its transition to the Apache Software Foundation, making it particularly concerning as it affects installations that may not have received subsequent security updates or patches.
The technical flaw manifests through the pickle library's load method, which is inherently dangerous when processing untrusted data. This method allows for arbitrary code execution during the deserialization process, as pickle can execute arbitrary Python code during object reconstruction. When Superset processes user-supplied data through this vulnerable deserialization pathway, attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when deserialized, trigger unintended code execution. This represents a classic deserialization vulnerability that aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses unsafe deserialization of untrusted data. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute commands directly on the server hosting the Superset application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote attackers to gain complete control over affected Superset instances without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects not only the Superset application itself but also any underlying systems that may be compromised through the execution of malicious code. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Superset face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive business intelligence data is processed and stored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8021 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to Superset 0.23 or later releases that address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Superset installations are updated to secure versions that eliminate the unsafe pickle deserialization methods. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of Superset instances to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious deserialization activities, and organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of potentially malicious code. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and avoiding the use of unsafe deserialization methods in application development, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's defense against techniques such as deserialization of untrusted data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications within the organization's technology stack.