CVE-2024-21552 in SuperAGI
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2024
All versions of `SuperAGI` are vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution due to unsafe use of the ‘eval’ function. An attacker could induce the LLM output to exploit this vulnerability and gain arbitrary code execution on the SuperAGI application server.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21552 represents a critical security flaw in SuperAGI applications where the software employs the dangerous eval function in an unsafe manner. This issue affects all versions of the SuperAGI platform and creates a severe attack surface that allows remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of user input through language model outputs, which can be manipulated to inject malicious code that gets executed within the application's runtime environment. The use of eval in this context directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an immediate risk for any system running affected versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when SuperAGI processes natural language responses from language models and subsequently passes these responses to the eval function for execution. This pattern creates a code injection vector where an attacker can craft specific prompts that, when processed by the language model, generate malicious code that gets executed by eval. The flaw exists at the core of the application's input processing pipeline where trust is placed in language model outputs without proper sanitization or validation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which specifically addresses the improper execution of code due to unsafe use of the eval function, making it a clear example of code injection vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations using SuperAGI applications. An attacker with remote access capabilities can execute arbitrary commands on the application server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. Given that SuperAGI applications often operate in environments where they process sensitive data and interact with critical business processes, the compromise of such systems can result in significant financial, operational, and regulatory consequences. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal skill to exploit and can be automated through prompt engineering techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21552 must address the root cause by eliminating the use of eval functions in the application code and implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement code reviews to identify and remove all instances of eval usage, replacing them with safer alternatives such as AST parsing or dedicated expression evaluators that do not execute arbitrary code. The implementation of proper input validation frameworks and the use of sandboxing techniques can help contain potential exploits even if the primary mitigation fails. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers may leverage compromised systems to establish persistence and execute commands. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of SuperAGI and implement comprehensive security testing to ensure no other instances of unsafe eval usage exist within their codebase.