CVE-2024-4253 in gradio
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
A command injection vulnerability exists in the gradio-app/gradio repository, specifically within the 'test-functional.yml' workflow. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, allowing for unauthorized modification of the base repository or secrets exfiltration. The issue affects versions up to and including '@gradio/[email protected]'. The flaw is present in the workflow's handling of GitHub context information, where it echoes the full name of the head repository, the head branch, and the workflow reference without adequate sanitization. This could potentially lead to the exfiltration of sensitive secrets such as 'GITHUB_TOKEN', 'COMMENT_TOKEN', and 'CHROMATIC_PROJECT_TOKEN'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2025
This command injection vulnerability resides within the gradio-app/gradio repository's continuous integration workflow, specifically in the 'test-functional.yml' file that executes automated testing procedures. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices during workflow execution. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes GitHub context information through unfiltered command execution, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the workflow's behavior by injecting arbitrary commands. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts, making it a direct instance of command injection that can be exploited across multiple attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the workflow's handling of repository metadata, particularly when the system echoes the complete head repository name, head branch reference, and workflow context information without proper sanitization. This uncontrolled output processing creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the workflow runner. The exploitation mechanism leverages the fact that the workflow directly incorporates GitHub context variables into shell commands without adequate filtering or escaping, allowing for arbitrary command execution that can extend beyond simple repository operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions up to and including 'gradio/video0.6.12', indicating that the flaw exists in the automated testing infrastructure rather than the core application code itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code modification capabilities to encompass full secrets exfiltration and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially access critical tokens such as 'GITHUB_TOKEN' which provides extensive repository access permissions, 'COMMENT_TOKEN' that enables commenting on pull requests and issues, and 'CHROMATIC_PROJECT_TOKEN' which contains project-specific testing credentials. This access level allows for complete compromise of the repository's security posture, enabling attackers to modify code, steal sensitive data, manipulate continuous integration workflows, and potentially escalate their access to other systems within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within the automated testing environment where workflows typically run with elevated privileges and access to sensitive resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and command execution practices throughout the CI/CD pipeline. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation and escaping mechanisms that prevent special characters from being interpreted as command syntax. Organizations should adopt the principle of least privilege for workflow execution environments, ensuring that automated processes only have access to the minimum required permissions. Additionally, implementing proper environment variable handling through secure configuration management practices can prevent unauthorized exposure of sensitive tokens. The remediation process should include updating the workflow files to sanitize all GitHub context variables before incorporating them into command execution contexts, aligning with best practices from the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Regular security auditing of CI/CD workflows and implementation of static analysis tools that can detect similar patterns will help prevent future occurrences of this class of vulnerability, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's methodology for identifying and mitigating supply chain attacks.