Remote code execution in composer.phar

1) Code Injection

EUVDB-ID: #VU81296

Risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.5 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-43655

CWE-ID: CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper access restrictions. A remote attacker can send a specially crafted request to the server with published composer.phar and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system but requires that "register_argc_argv" option is enabled in php.ini.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

composer: 1.0.0 - 2.6.3

External links

http://github.com/composer/composer/security/advisories/GHSA-jm6m-4632-36hf
http://github.com/composer/composer/releases/tag/1.10.27
http://github.com/composer/composer/releases/tag/2.6.4
http://github.com/composer/composer/releases/tag/2.2.22

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.