CVE-2024-0964 in gradio
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2024
A local file include could be remotely triggered in Gradio due to a vulnerable user-supplied JSON value in an API request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0964 represents a critical security flaw within the Gradio framework that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary file inclusion attacks through carefully crafted API requests. This vulnerability specifically exploits the improper handling of user-supplied JSON data within the application's API endpoints, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's file loading mechanisms from remote locations. The flaw exists in the way Gradio processes incoming JSON payloads that contain file path references, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file locations that the application will attempt to include or load. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of local file inclusion attacks that can be escalated to remote code execution depending on the application's configuration and the attacker's objectives. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it bridges the gap between remote network access and local system manipulation, enabling attackers to potentially read sensitive files, execute system commands, or compromise the entire application environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within Gradio's API request processing pipeline. When the application receives JSON data containing file path specifications, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file system operations. This weakness creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can directly influence the application's file inclusion behavior, allowing for path traversal attacks and arbitrary file access. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-established category of security flaws that have been consistently exploited in various web applications over the years. The attack vector specifically targets the API layer where JSON payloads are parsed and processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard HTTP API calls without requiring any special authentication or privileged access. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to inject malicious file paths into the application's processing logic, potentially leading to unauthorized access to system files, configuration data, or other sensitive resources that should remain protected from external access.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0964 extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent access to affected environments. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to read sensitive system files including configuration databases, user credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The ability to include arbitrary local files through API requests opens pathways for privilege escalation attacks, where attackers might attempt to access system-level resources or manipulate application behavior through carefully crafted file inclusion sequences. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can leverage the file inclusion capability to execute malicious payloads or establish persistent access through compromised application components. Organizations running vulnerable Gradio applications face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations, especially in environments where sensitive data processing occurs. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially target these applications from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or insider knowledge of the internal network structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0964 must address both the immediate security gap in input validation and implement comprehensive defensive measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all JSON data containing file path references, ensuring that any user-supplied path information is properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values or sanitized to prevent path traversal attempts. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that the application runs with minimal necessary permissions and cannot access sensitive system resources. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious API requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses across the application's API endpoints. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring mechanisms will help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure that all Gradio components are updated with the latest security fixes, as this vulnerability affects the core framework functionality that is widely used in machine learning and data science applications. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk necessitates immediate action and comprehensive security posture improvements to protect against potential exploitation attempts.