CVE-2023-35839 in Solon
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2023
Solon before 2.3.3 allows Deserialization of Untrusted Data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35839 affects the Solon framework version 2.3.3 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through deserialization of untrusted data. This flaw resides within the framework's handling of serialized objects, creating an avenue for remote code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of serialized input data, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed upon deserialization. Such a weakness represents a fundamental breach in the application's security architecture, as it directly enables arbitrary code execution through data processing mechanisms that should remain secure and isolated.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common patterns found in deserialization flaws categorized under CWE-502, which specifically addresses the deserialization of untrusted data. The flaw occurs when the Solon framework processes serialized objects without proper sanitization or validation of the input, allowing attackers to inject malicious serialized content. This type of vulnerability typically manifests when applications accept serialized data from external sources such as HTTP requests, file uploads, or network communications, and then deserialize this data without adequate security controls. The framework's failure to implement proper object validation during deserialization creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-35839 extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption, as it enables full system compromise through remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to affected systems, potentially escalating privileges, exfiltrating sensitive data, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the core deserialization functionality of the Solon framework, which is likely used across multiple applications and services, amplifying the potential impact. Organizations using affected versions of Solon face significant risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and operational disruption, as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge beyond basic exploitation techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that deserialization vulnerabilities often allow for complex attack chains that can bypass traditional security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-35839 focus primarily on upgrading to Solon version 2.3.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the deserialization flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all serialized data is properly validated before processing. Security controls should include disabling unnecessary deserialization capabilities, implementing strict object type restrictions, and employing secure coding practices that prevent untrusted data from being processed through deserialization mechanisms. Additional protective measures include network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities, and implementing application firewalls that can detect and block malicious serialized payloads. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, highlights the need for robust network security controls and continuous monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify all applications using vulnerable versions of the Solon framework and ensure complete remediation across their entire infrastructure.