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How the mentioned CVE works:
The vulnerability is an incomplete patch for CVE-2020-14942 in Tendenci’s Helpdesk module. In versions 15.3.11 and earlier, the `run_report()` function in `tendenci/apps/helpdesk/views/staff.py` uses `pickle.loads()` for deserialization. An authenticated user with staff security level can access the helpdesk `/reports/` endpoint. By submitting a malicious pickle payload, the deserialization process executes arbitrary Python code on the server. The `ticket_list()` function was fixed to use safe simplejson.loads(), but `run_report()` was overlooked. This allows remote code execution (RCE). The impact is limited to the permissions of the user running the Tendenci application, typically www-data, which has restricted write and execute capabilities. The Helpdesk module is not enabled by default, reducing exposure. Exploitation requires staff-level access, which is commonly granted to helpdesk operators. The vulnerability represents a direct bypass of the earlier patch, making it critical despite the permission scoping.
Platform: Tendenci
Version: 15.3.11 earlier
Vulnerability: Deserialization RCE
Severity: Critical
date: 2020-06-08
Prediction: Expected patch 2020-06-12
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
Check if helpdesk enabled
grep -r “helpdesk” settings.py
Vulnerable code snippet
def run_report(request):
import pickle
data = request.POST.get(‘data’)
result = pickle.loads(data) VULNERABLE
Compare with patched function
ticket_list uses simplejson.loads()
How Exploit:
Authenticated staff user sends malicious pickle payload to /reports/ endpoint via HTTP POST. Pickle deserialization executes arbitrary code, achieving RCE within www-data context.
Protection from this CVE
Update to version 15.3.12. Disable Helpdesk module if unused. Implement input validation and use safe deserialization like JSON.
Impact:
Remote code execution. Limited to www-data user permissions. Potential data leakage and system compromise.
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Sources:
Reported By: github.com
Extra Source Hub:
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