IPython up to 8.0.x on Windows set_term_title os command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in IPython up to 8.0.x on Windows. This affects the function set_term_title. Such manipulation leads to os command injection. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2023-24816. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in IPython up to 8.0.x on Windows (Programming Language Software). It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function set_term_title. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

IPython (Interactive Python) is a command shell for interactive computing in multiple programming languages, originally developed for the Python programming language. Versions prior to 8.1.0 are subject to a command injection vulnerability with very specific prerequisites. This vulnerability requires that the function `IPython.utils.terminal.set_term_title` be called on Windows in a Python environment where ctypes is not available. The dependency on `ctypes` in `IPython.utils._process_win32` prevents the vulnerable code from ever being reached in the ipython binary. However, as a library that could be used by another tool `set_term_title` could be called and hence introduce a vulnerability. Should an attacker get untrusted input to an instance of this function they would be able to inject shell commands as current process and limited to the scope of the current process. Users of ipython as a library are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade should ensure that any calls to the `IPython.utils.terminal.set_term_title` function are done with trusted or filtered input.

The weakness was published 02/11/2023 as GHSA-29gw-9793-fvw7. The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-24816 since 01/30/2023. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

Upgrading to version 8.1.0 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 385d69325319a5972ee9b5983638e3617f21cb1f is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Language Software

Name

• IPython

Version

• 8.0

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://github.com/ipython/ipython/

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