A critical security vulnerability has been uncovered in OpenRefine, an open-source tool for data cleaning and transformation, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The flaw, designated as CVE-2023-37476, holds a CVSS score of 7.8 and is categorized as a Zip Slip vulnerability. It affects versions 3.7.3 and earlier, particularly when importing maliciously crafted project files.
According to Sonar security researcher Stefan Schiller, this vulnerability arises from the tool’s local operation design, where an attacker could deceive a user into importing a harmful project. In such cases, malicious code can be executed on the user’s machine, leveraging the inherent security weaknesses during the extraction process.
Zip Slip vulnerabilities typically exploit directory traversal flaws that allow attackers to write files outside the intended directories. In this instance, the exploit can manipulate the “untar” method to create archives structured to write files to unauthorized locations, such as “../../../../tmp/pwned.”
This manipulation can result in the execution of unforeseen files on the victim’s machine, either directly invoked by the attacker or by the system itself, leading to potential command execution. The attackers utilize a two-part methodology: a malicious archive and a flawed extraction process lacking adequate validation, which may allow files to overwrite existing data or be extracted in inappropriate locations.
Upon responsible disclosure of the vulnerability on July 7, 2023, the OpenRefine development team promptly released a patch in version 3.7.4 on July 17, 2023, aimed at mitigating this identified risk. Schiller notes the gravity of this vulnerability, stating that it can allow attackers to write arbitrary content to arbitrary filesystem locations, which can have expansive implications, especially for applications with elevated privileges.
The implications of such vulnerabilities extend beyond mere data breaches; they grant attackers unauthorized access to systems, enable data exfiltration, and permit the execution of malicious code from remote locations. This situation poses threats not only to technical integrity but also to organizational reputation and operational continuity.
The emergence of this vulnerability follows recent alerts about significant flaws in Microsoft SharePoint Server and Apache NiFi, illustrating a prevalent trend in cybersecurity where multiple platforms face risks from similar exploitation techniques. The Microsoft vulnerabilities, CVE-2023-29357 and CVE-2023-24955, exhibit CVSS scores of 9.8 and 7.2, respectively, representing critical security concerns, while Apache NiFi’s CVE-2023-34468, with a CVSS score of 8.8, also allows for remote code execution through malicious H2 database strings.
As businesses strive to fortify their cybersecurity frameworks, awareness of vulnerabilities like those found in OpenRefine is crucial. The incident underscores the importance of robust security measures and quick responses to vulnerabilities, with potential MITRE ATT&CK tactics relating to initial access, persistence, and privilege escalation prominently coming to mind regarding these types of attacks.
In summary, the OpenRefine vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges organizations face in safeguarding their digital assets. The urgency for proactivity in addressing these vulnerabilities is paramount in the current cybersecurity landscape.
