Karl.Fail

Tag: deserialization

  • CVE-2025-27816: Critical Deserialization Vulnerability in Arctera InfoScale

    Overview

    On March 7, 2025, a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-27816 was published, impacting Arctera InfoScale versions 7.0 through 8.0.2. The issue is related to CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, a serious vulnerability category known to enable remote code execution and full system compromise if improperly handled.

    Vulnerability Details

    The vulnerability exists in the Plugin_Host service within InfoScale, a component that runs on all Windows servers where InfoScale is installed. This service is used when applications are configured for Disaster Recovery (DR) through the DR wizard. An attacker can exploit this service by sending untrusted serialized .NET messages to the remoting endpoint, which leads to insecure deserialization.

    This vulnerability is especially dangerous due to its reach across all DR-enabled servers and the lack of required user interaction or privileges for exploitation.

    Technical Analysis

    According to the CVSS v3.1 scoring system, CVE-2025-27816 has a base score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector string is:

    CVSS:3.1/AC:L/AV:N/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:U/UI:N

    Key attributes include:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: None
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Unchanged
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Impact: High

    Because exploitation does not require any privileges or interaction, and the Plugin_Host service is active across all DR-configured installations, the potential for automated large-scale attacks is significant.

    Understanding CWE-502

    CWE-502 involves the deserialization of untrusted data, which can lead to code execution if the application automatically instantiates objects from serialized input. Without validation or sandboxing, this leads to arbitrary behavior controlled by an attacker.

    Impact and Mitigation

    Successful exploitation could allow attackers to:

    • Remotely execute arbitrary code
    • Compromise system integrity and confidentiality
    • Cause service disruption or deploy persistent malware

    Mitigation is straightforward but essential. Manually disabling the Plugin_Host service effectively removes the vulnerable surface. Organizations should also review DR configurations and deploy any available patches or vendor advisories.

    Conclusion

    CVE-2025-27816 is a high-risk vulnerability that underscores the critical danger of insecure deserialization, particularly in enterprise-grade disaster recovery environments. Its simplicity of exploitation and severity of impact make it an urgent issue for InfoScale users to address.

    More information and mitigation guidance is available in the official advisory.

  • CVE-2025-42999: Insecure Deserialization in SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer

    Overview

    On May 13, 2025, SAP published a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-42999 affecting the Visual Composer development server within SAP NetWeaver. The issue is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, a well-known class of vulnerabilities that can allow attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of a system.

    Vulnerability Details

    The vulnerability impacts the following product:

    • Product: SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Metadata Uploader
    • Version Affected: VCFRAMEWORK 7.50

    The flaw occurs when a privileged user uploads malicious or untrusted metadata content to the server. When this content is deserialized, it can lead to the execution of arbitrary code or other serious consequences depending on the payload and environment. Although the attacker must already have high privileges, exploitation does not require any user interaction and can be performed over a network.

    Technical Analysis

    The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1, indicating critical severity. The vector string is:

    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

    Key metrics include:

    • Attack Vector: Network
    • Attack Complexity: Low
    • Privileges Required: High
    • User Interaction: None
    • Scope: Changed
    • Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability Impact: High

    This means a high-privileged user can exploit the vulnerability remotely without triggering any user interaction, and the resulting impact may extend beyond the original component being attacked.

    Understanding CWE-502

    Deserialization of Untrusted Data occurs when an application processes serialized data from an untrusted source without adequate validation. In SAP NetWeaver’s case, improperly validated metadata may be deserialized and trigger arbitrary behavior. Such flaws can be difficult to detect and are often exploited in advanced attacks that aim to execute code or escalate privileges.

    Exploitation and Threat Landscape

    According to the CISA KEV catalog, this vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild. It has also been highlighted in SAP’s official security notes. The Onapsis research team confirmed exploitation evidence and emphasized its criticality for SAP environments.

    Recommendations

    To mitigate this vulnerability, SAP recommends:

    • Applying patches or mitigations provided in the latest SAP Security Patch Day updates.
    • Restricting access to systems where deserialization may occur.
    • Implementing secure coding practices to avoid unsafe deserialization patterns.
    • Monitoring for unusual privileged user activity and uploads.

    Conclusion

    CVE-2025-42999 highlights the risks associated with deserialization vulnerabilities, especially in complex enterprise environments like SAP. Due to its high severity and active exploitation, organizations should prioritize patching and review their use of metadata handling and upload functions.