CVE-2023-43801 in Create Agent
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Arduino Create Agent is a package to help manage Arduino development. This vulnerability affects the endpoint `/v2/pkgs/tools/installed` and the way it handles plugin names supplied as user input. A user who has the ability to perform HTTP requests to the localhost interface, or is able to bypass the CORS configuration, can delete arbitrary files or folders belonging to the user that runs the Arduino Create Agent via a crafted HTTP DELETE request. This issue has been addressed in version `1.3.3`. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2023
The Arduino Create Agent represents a critical security vulnerability that impacts the local development environment management system for Arduino projects. This software serves as a bridge between local development tools and cloud-based services, facilitating seamless project management and device communication. The vulnerability specifically targets the `/v2/pkgs/tools/installed` endpoint which handles plugin name inputs from user requests, creating a potential attack vector for unauthorized file system manipulation. The flaw exists within the agent's validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify plugin names supplied through HTTP requests, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted HTTP DELETE operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the agent's insufficient input validation and access control measures. When a user can send HTTP requests to the localhost interface or bypass CORS restrictions, they can construct malicious DELETE requests that target specific plugin names. The agent processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, enabling attackers to manipulate file paths and execute arbitrary deletion operations on the system where the Arduino Create Agent is running. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that has been classified under CWE-22, Path Traversal, and CWE-77, Command Injection, as the system fails to properly validate user-supplied data before processing file operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper input sanitization and access control that directly violates security best practices for local service implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, creating a significant risk for developers who rely on the Arduino Create Agent for their development workflows. Attackers with access to the localhost interface or those who can bypass CORS restrictions can potentially delete critical development files, plugin configurations, or even system directories that belong to the user account running the agent. This could result in complete loss of development environments, corrupted project data, or disruption of the entire development process. The vulnerability particularly affects users who run the Arduino Create Agent with elevated privileges or whose local systems are compromised through other attack vectors. From an operational security perspective, this flaw undermines the trust model of local development tools and represents a serious concern for both individual developers and enterprise environments that may rely on Arduino-based development processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate patching requirements and broader security posture improvements. The most direct solution involves upgrading to version 1.3.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures for plugin name handling. Organizations should implement comprehensive network segmentation to restrict access to localhost interfaces and ensure that only authorized users can interact with the Arduino Create Agent. The implementation of proper CORS policies and authentication mechanisms should be enforced to prevent unauthorized access to the agent's HTTP endpoints. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual DELETE requests or patterns of file system access that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege when running development tools, ensuring that the Arduino Create Agent operates with minimal required permissions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level controls to restrict localhost access and conduct regular security assessments of development environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other local services. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as exploitation requires either legitimate access to the localhost or the ability to bypass security controls, making it a significant concern for defensive security operations.