CVE-2024-28212 in nGrinder
Summary
by MITRE • 03/07/2024
nGrinder before 3.5.9 uses old version of SnakeYAML, which could allow remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via unsafe deserialization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28212 affects nGrinder versions prior to 3.5.9 and stems from the use of an outdated SnakeYAML library component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution through unsafe deserialization techniques. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes untrusted YAML data without proper validation or sanitization, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the system.
SnakeYAML is a popular Java library for parsing and generating YAML documents, but older versions contain known security vulnerabilities related to deserialization of untrusted data. When nGrinder incorporates an outdated SnakeYAML version, it inherits these weaknesses that allow attackers to craft malicious YAML payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, trigger unintended code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of deserialization attacks that are particularly dangerous because they can bypass traditional security controls and execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise the nGrinder testing platform. Since nGrinder is commonly used for performance testing and load testing in enterprise environments, an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain access to test environments, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need physical access to the system and can target the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and is categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1210 - "Exploitation of Remote Services" and T1059 - "Command and Scripting Interpreter." The attack chain typically involves the attacker crafting malicious YAML content that when deserialized by the vulnerable nGrinder application, executes arbitrary code on the target system. Organizations using affected versions of nGrinder should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 3.5.9 or later, which contains the patched SnakeYAML library, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the application.
The remediation strategy focuses primarily on updating the SnakeYAML dependency to a secure version that addresses the deserialization vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing input validation and sanitization measures for all YAML processing, employing principle of least privilege for application services, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party libraries up to date and the potential consequences of relying on outdated components in security-sensitive applications.