CVE-2024-9016 in dtale
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2025
man-group dtale version <= 3.13.1 contains a vulnerability where the query parameters from the request are directly passed into the run_query function without proper sanitization. This allows for unauthenticated remote command execution via the df.query method when the query engine is set to 'python'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9016 affects the man-group dtale library version 3.13.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk that enables unauthenticated remote command execution. This flaw exists within the query parameter handling mechanism where user-supplied input is directly passed to the run_query function without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the query engine is configured to use the 'python' execution context, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the dtale library's query processing pipeline. When users submit query parameters through the web interface, these parameters are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying df.query method. This design flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary Python code that gets executed within the application's context. The CWE-77 attack pattern classification applies here as the vulnerability represents a direct injection of code into a Python execution environment. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway follows the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution, specifically targeting Python interpreters within the application runtime.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9016 is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. An unauthenticated attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the vulnerable dtale instance, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as reading sensitive files, executing system commands, establishing persistent backdoors, or exfiltrating data from the affected environment. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the application's web interface, regardless of their authorization status. Organizations using dtale for data analysis and visualization may face significant data breaches or system compromise when running vulnerable versions of the library.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9016 should prioritize immediate remediation through version updates to dtale 3.13.2 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the query parameter sanitization issue. Administrators should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to dtale interfaces, particularly in production environments where the vulnerability could be exploited. Additional protective measures include disabling the python query engine when not strictly necessary, implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious query parameters, and conducting thorough security assessments of all dtale installations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and sanitization in web applications, reinforcing the need for robust security practices in data analysis platforms that process user-supplied data.