CVE-2021-23420 in Codeception
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2021
This affects the package codeception/codeception from 4.0.0 and before 4.1.22, before 3.1.3. The RunProcess class can be leveraged as a gadget to run arbitrary commands on a system that is deserializing user input without validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-23420 resides within the Codeception testing framework, specifically affecting versions 4.0.0 through 4.1.21 and 3.1.0 through 3.1.2. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through a deserialization vulnerability in the RunProcess class. The vulnerability stems from the framework's improper handling of user input during the deserialization process, creating a dangerous attack vector where malicious actors can inject arbitrary commands into the system. The affected package codeception/codeception is widely used in PHP applications for automated testing, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Codeception for their testing infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the RunProcess class which serves as a deserialization gadget capable of executing system commands when user-provided data is processed without proper validation. When an application using Codeception deserializes untrusted input containing malicious serialized data, the framework's deserialization mechanism can be exploited to trigger command execution on the underlying system. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of insecure deserialization and command injection, where the serialized object contains a RunProcess instance that, upon deserialization, executes arbitrary system commands. The attack requires that the application be configured to deserialize user input, which is common in testing environments where test data might be loaded from external sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions of Codeception. This capability enables complete system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, and potential persistence mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but can also impact entire development environments where Codeception is used for automated testing, potentially compromising the integrity of the testing pipeline and the applications under test. Organizations using Codeception for continuous integration and deployment processes face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited to manipulate test results or gain access to production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-23420 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of the codeception/codeception package, specifically versions 4.1.22 or 3.1.3 and later. Organizations should immediately assess their deployment environments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions and apply the necessary updates. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization practices can provide defense-in-depth measures, although the primary solution remains the software update. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities, as this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under T1203 (Exploitation for Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter). The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, making it a critical target for security hardening and vulnerability management programs. Organizations should also review their testing infrastructure configurations to ensure that user input is not being processed through deserialization mechanisms without proper validation and access controls.