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web2py remote code execution via hardcoded encryption key in session.connect function

Critical severity GitHub Reviewed Published May 14, 2022 to the GitHub Advisory Database • Updated Aug 3, 2023

Package

pip web2py (pip)

Affected versions

< 2.14.2

Patched versions

2.14.2

Description

The sample web application in web2py before 2.14.2 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving use of a hardcoded encryption key when calling the session.connect function.

References

Published by the National Vulnerability Database Feb 6, 2018
Published to the GitHub Advisory Database May 14, 2022
Last updated Aug 3, 2023
Reviewed Aug 3, 2023

Severity

Critical

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS score

3.783%
(92nd percentile)

Weaknesses

CVE ID

CVE-2016-3953

GHSA ID

GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w

Source code

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