CVE-2022-24727 in Weblate
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2022
Weblate is a web based localization tool with tight version control integration. Prior to version 4.11.1, Weblate didn't properly sanitize some arguments passed to Git and Mercurial, allowing them to change their behavior in an unintended way. Instances where untrusted users cannot create new components are not affected. The issues were fixed in the 4.11.1 release.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
CVE-2022-24727 represents a command injection vulnerability in Weblate, a web-based localization platform that integrates tightly with version control systems. This flaw existed in versions prior to 4.11.1 and stemmed from inadequate input sanitization of arguments passed to Git and Mercurial version control systems. The vulnerability specifically targeted the way Weblate handled user-supplied parameters that were subsequently forwarded to underlying version control commands, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to manipulate these commands through crafted input.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The flaw allowed attackers to inject arbitrary commands into Git and Mercurial operations by exploiting insufficient sanitization of input parameters. When Weblate processed user-provided data for version control operations, it failed to properly validate or escape special characters that could alter command execution behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through the version control interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant for organizations using Weblate for localization management, particularly in environments where untrusted users had access to the platform. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system hosting Weblate, leading to potential system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it leveraged the platform's legitimate integration with version control systems, making the attack vector appear more legitimate and harder to detect. However, the issue was specifically noted to not affect instances where untrusted users could not create new components, suggesting that proper access controls could provide mitigation.
Organizations utilizing Weblate should have implemented immediate remediation through the upgrade to version 4.11.1 or later, which addressed the input sanitization issues. Additional mitigations included implementing proper access controls to restrict component creation privileges, monitoring for unusual Git or Mercurial command execution patterns, and ensuring that the Weblate installation ran with minimal necessary privileges. The fix implemented by the Weblate development team focused on strengthening input validation and sanitization processes for all parameters passed to version control commands, effectively closing the command injection pathway. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input handling in applications that integrate with system-level tools and demonstrated how seemingly benign interface functionality could become a critical security risk when proper sanitization was absent.