CVE-2020-15148 : Security Advisory and Response

Yii 2 (yiisoft/yii2) before version 2.0.38 is vulnerable to remote code execution due to unsafe deserialization. This CVE has a CVSS base score of 8.9, indicating a high severity threat.

Understanding CVE-2020-15148

This CVE relates to a vulnerability in Yii 2 that allows remote code execution through the

unserialize()

function on user input.

What is CVE-2020-15148?

Yii 2 (yiisoft/yii2) before version 2.0.38 is susceptible to remote code execution if the application invokes

unserialize()

on arbitrary user input.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15148

CVSS Base Score: 8.9 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: High
Availability Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Privileges Required: None
Scope: Changed
User Interaction: None

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15148

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Yii 2 allows for remote code execution when

unserialize()

is used on untrusted data, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: yii2
Vendor: yiisoft
Vulnerable Versions: < 2.0.38

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating user input to trigger the

unserialize()

function and execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-15148 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Yii 2 to version 2.0.38 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation to prevent untrusted data from being deserialized.
Apply the workaround provided in the linked advisory if upgrading is not immediately feasible.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates released by Yii 2 to address the vulnerability.