CVE-2017-16616

An exploitable vulnerability exists in the YAML parsing functionality in the YAMLParser method in Interfaces.py in PyAnyAPI before 0.6.1

published November 8, 2017

CVSS
—
EPSS
4%
Percentile
89.4
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A YAML parser flaw can turn a simple config file into your worst nightmare! An attacker can run arbitrary Python commands just by inserting some sneaky code into the YAML! Think of it like a restaurant allowing customers to add secret ingredients to their orders without checking the menu first. If unchecked, it could lead to some wild substitutions that spoil the meal! An attacker could effectively take control of your system, running commands that might read sensitive data, modify configurations, or even shut down services. It's a potentially devastating situation that could compromise not only the application but also the underlying infrastructure.

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant allowing customers to add secret ingredients to their orders without checking the menu first. If unchecked, it could lead to some wild substitutions that spoil the meal! This vulnerability arises because the YAML parsing in PyAnyAPI before version 0.6.1 uses a dangerous method called 'load,' instead of the safer 'safe_load.' This allows malicious YAML input to execute arbitrary Python code during parsing.

What to do

An attacker could effectively take control of your system, running commands that might read sensitive data, modify configurations, or even shut down services. It's a potentially devastating situation that could compromise not only the application but also the underlying infrastructure. Upgrade to PyAnyAPI version 0.6.1 or later to mitigate this risk. Additionally, review your YAML parsing practices to ensure 'safe_load' is used instead of 'load' whenever possible. Implement strict input validation to further enhance security. You've got this! By taking these steps, you can secure your application and keep those code-crafting villains at bay! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.03620 · 89.4th percentile
Published
2017-11-08T03:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 08 NOV 03:00Z
    An exploitable vulnerability exists in the YAML parsing functionality in the YAMLParser method in Interfaces.py in PyAnyAPI before 0.6.1
    cvelistv5