CVE-2019-1010306 in Slanger
Summary
by MITRE
Slanger 0.6.0 is affected by: Remote Code Execution (RCE). The impact is: A remote attacker can execute arbitrary commands by sending a crafted request to the server. The component is: Message handler & request validator. The attack vector is: Remote unauthenticated. The fixed version is: after commit 5267b455caeb2e055cccf0d2b6a22727c111f5c3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-1010306 affects Slanger version 0.6.0 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that exposes the application to unauthorized command execution. This vulnerability specifically resides within the message handler and request validator components of the Slanger server, which processes incoming requests from clients. The flaw allows an attacker to send a specially crafted request that triggers arbitrary command execution on the server hosting the Slanger service. The attack vector is classified as remote and unauthenticated, meaning that any external party can exploit this vulnerability without requiring prior authentication or authorization to access the system. This characteristic significantly amplifies the risk as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the vulnerable service.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the request processing pipeline. When Slanger receives messages through its WebSocket interface, the message handler fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data before processing it. This allows malicious payloads to be interpreted as executable commands rather than simple message content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which respectively cover command injection and improper restriction of operations within a sphere of control, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that enable remote code execution. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) as the attacker can leverage the execution capabilities to run arbitrary commands on the target system. The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable service is deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader security implications for organizations using Slanger. Organizations deploying this version of Slanger face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks within their infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that defenders cannot rely on access controls or authentication mechanisms to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be triggered by any remote party. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where Slanger is exposed to the internet or accessible from untrusted networks. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but also potentially impacts network security posture, as compromised systems can serve as launching points for additional attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation, as it provides attackers with a direct path to execute arbitrary commands without authentication, potentially leading to complete system takeover.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to versions that include the fix implemented after commit 5267b455caeb2e055cccf0d2b6a22727c111f5c3. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to Slanger services, particularly if the service is exposed to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments of WebSocket-based services. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched version to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the security improvements. Organizations should also review their overall security posture for other WebSocket-based applications and services to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist within their infrastructure. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement logging and monitoring capabilities to detect potential abuse of this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all inputs and implementing proper sanitization mechanisms, particularly for services that process external data through WebSocket connections.