CVE-2023-43802 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 `/upload` which handles request with the `filename` parameter. A user who has the ability to perform HTTP requests to the localhost interface, or is able to bypass the CORS configuration, can escalate their privileges to those of the user running the Arduino Create Agent service via a crafted HTTP POST request. This issue has been addressed in version `1.3.3`. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2023
The Arduino Create Agent represents a critical security vulnerability that exposes systems to privilege escalation through improper input validation in the `/upload` endpoint. This agent serves as a bridge between Arduino development environments and local hardware, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking elevated system access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of the `filename` parameter within the upload handler, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the service's behavior. When a crafted HTTP POST request is submitted to the endpoint, the agent processes the filename without adequate validation, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution or file manipulation at the privilege level of the running service account. This issue specifically affects systems where the Arduino Create Agent operates on localhost and where CORS restrictions can be bypassed, highlighting the dangerous combination of local service exposure and weak input validation mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests as a path traversal or command injection vulnerability within the file handling logic of the Arduino Create Agent service. When processing the `filename` parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input, allowing attackers to craft malicious filenames that can manipulate the service's intended behavior. This vulnerability operates under the principle of insufficient input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the CWE standard and falls under the broader category of privilege escalation attacks. The attack vector requires minimal network access since the service operates on localhost, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local network interfaces are accessible to untrusted users. The lack of proper access controls and validation mechanisms in the upload endpoint creates a direct path for privilege elevation, as the service processes uploaded files with the same privileges as the user account running the agent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it enables attackers to gain elevated system privileges and potentially control the entire Arduino development environment. The Arduino Create Agent typically runs with elevated privileges to manage hardware connections and system resources, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for developers working on sensitive projects or in production environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious software, modify development tools, or access confidential project data stored on the local system. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the agent may be running with administrative privileges on the host system, potentially allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Arduino development workflows, especially in environments where multiple users have access to the local system or where the agent is configured to run with elevated permissions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate software updates and access control improvements. The most effective solution involves upgrading to version 1.3.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization of the filename parameter. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to localhost interfaces and ensure that CORS policies are properly configured to prevent unauthorized access to the agent's endpoints. Additional defensive measures include running the Arduino Create Agent with minimal required privileges, implementing proper file access controls, and monitoring for suspicious upload activity. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of development environments and ensure that all services running on localhost are properly secured. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in services that handle user-provided data and operate with elevated system privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual patterns in localhost traffic that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations required in development tools and the potential for seemingly benign services to become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.