CVE-2023-49297 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Understanding CVE-2023-49297

PyDrive2, a library for Google Drive API tasks, is vulnerable to unsafe YAML deserialization, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2023-49297?

CVE-2023-49297 details an unsafe YAML deserialization vulnerability in PyDrive2, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code by manipulating a YAML file. The vulnerability affects users initiating GoogleAuth from PyDrive2 while a malicious YAML file is present in the same directory.

The Impact of CVE-2023-49297

The impact of CVE-2023-49297 is severe as it enables threat actors to execute arbitrary code through a crafted YAML file. This could lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-49297

PyDrive2 versions prior to 1.16.2 are affected by this vulnerability. The issue has been addressed in commit

c57355dc

, included in release version 1.16.2.

Vulnerability Description

Unsafe YAML deserialization in PyDrive2 can lead to arbitrary code execution, posing a significant security risk to users of the library.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: iterative
Product: PyDrive2
Affected Versions:
< 1.16.2: Affected
= 1.17.0: Affected

Exploitation Mechanism

A maliciously crafted YAML file can trigger arbitrary code execution when PyDrive2 is launched within the same directory, or when

LoadSettingsFile

is utilized, opening the door for exploitation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-49297, users are strongly advised to update PyDrive2 to version 1.16.2 or later to mitigate the risk of YAML deserialization vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade PyDrive2 to version 1.16.2 to prevent potential code execution attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update libraries and dependencies to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to ensure system resilience and integrity.