CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-45858NVD status: Deferred

guardrails: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-45858 is a high-severity improper neutralization of directives in dynamically evaluated code vulnerability in guardrails from Guardrails AI, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 0.5.10 as the first without the flaw, so updating guardrails to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update guardrails to 0.5.10 or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on hiddenlayer.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Guardrails AIguardrails0.2.9 up to, but not including, 0.5.100.5.10
Guardrailsaiguardrails0.2.9 through 0.5.10Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.

Official description

An arbitrary code execution vulnerability exists in versions 0.2.9 up to 0.5.10 of the Guardrails AI Guardrails framework because of the way it validates XML files. If a victim user loads a maliciously crafted XML file containing Python code, the code will be passed to an eval function, causing it to execute on the user's machine.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code

The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before using the input in a dynamic evaluation call (e.g. eval).

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If possible, refactor your code so that it does not need to use eval() at all.
  • For Python programs, it is frequently encouraged to use the ast.literal_eval() function instead of eval, since it is intentionally designed to avoid executing code. However, an adversary could still cause excessive memory or stack consumption via deeply nested structures, so the python documentation discourages use of ast.literal_eval() on untrusted data.

More Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code vulnerabilities (CWE-95)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in guardrails

All guardrails vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code vulnerabilities

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