CVE-2024-29800 in timber
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Timber Team & Contributors Timber.This issue affects Timber: from n/a through 1.23.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29800 represents a critical deserialization of untrusted data flaw within the Timber logging library developed by Timber Team and Contributors. This security weakness exists in versions ranging from the initial release through 1.23.0, creating a significant risk for applications that rely on this popular logging framework. The issue stems from the library's improper handling of serialized data structures, which can be manipulated by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the application context. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when applications deserialize data without adequate validation or sanitization processes, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the deserialization mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an application using Timber processes untrusted input through the deserialization functions. Attackers can construct specially crafted serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable library, trigger unintended code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security concern. The attack vector typically involves sending malicious serialized data to an application endpoint that uses Timber for logging or processing user input. When the library attempts to deserialize this data, it executes the malicious code embedded within the serialized object, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-29800 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to perform privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent system compromise. Applications leveraging Timber for logging user input or processing external data are particularly vulnerable, as they may inadvertently deserialize malicious payloads through normal operational flows. The vulnerability's scope is amplified by Timber's widespread adoption across various platforms and frameworks, meaning that exploitation could affect numerous applications and systems. Organizations using vulnerable versions should immediately assess their exposure and implement mitigation strategies, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a direct path to system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to versions that have addressed the deserialization flaw, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and employing secure deserialization practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when the vulnerability is exploited through malicious file attachments. Additionally, implementing application firewalls and runtime protection mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and dependency updates remain crucial for maintaining defense in depth against such vulnerabilities, particularly given the prevalence of deserialization attacks in modern exploitation landscapes.