https://DevOpsCloud.io -- Cloud Monk Losang Jinpa, Ph.D., MCSE/MCT, GitOps DevOps Engineer

Return to Serialization Frameworks

Don't Return to Misconfigured Serialization Frameworks, Misconfigured Serialization Settings, Misconfigured Data Validation on Deserialization, Misconfigured Logging of Deserialization Errors

TLDR: Misconfigured serialization frameworks, introduced in various forms starting from the 1990s, can lead to vulnerabilities such as arbitrary code execution, data leakage, and denial of service attacks. These issues often result from improper input handling, insecure deserialization processes, and weak validation mechanisms, violating multiple OWASP Top Ten principles, including Input Validation, Data Encryption, and Access Controls.

https://owasp.org/www-community/vulnerabilities/Deserialization_of_Untrusted_Data

Insecure deserialization is one of the most critical risks associated with misconfigured serialization frameworks. Allowing untrusted data to be deserialized without validation can lead to remote code execution (RCE) or other malicious actions. This issue highlights the importance of following OWASP Top Ten recommendations for robust Input Validation.

https://owasp.org/www-community/Input_Validation

Improper handling of serialized data often leads to data leakage. Sensitive information embedded in serialized objects, such as passwords or session tokens, can be exposed if not encrypted properly. This contravenes OWASP Top Ten principles on Data Encryption and secure data handling.

https://owasp.org/www-community/Data_Encryption

Failure to implement allowlists or restrict accepted classes during deserialization can enable attackers to inject malicious objects into the serialization process. This can result in unintended execution or tampering, violating the OWASP Top Ten's emphasis on Access Controls and Sanitization Routines.

https://owasp.org/www-community/vulnerabilities/Insecure_Deserialization

Logging serialized data without sanitization or encryption can expose sensitive application information. This highlights the need for secure Logging practices, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten, to ensure sensitive data is not inadvertently disclosed.

https://owasp.org/www-community/Logging_and_Monitoring_Cheat_Sheet

Default settings in serialization frameworks may prioritize functionality over security, leaving applications exposed to attacks. Developers must review and customize these Framework Defaults to align with application-specific security needs, as per the OWASP Top Ten.

https://owasp.org/www-community/Framework_Security_Project

Neglecting error handling during deserialization can result in verbose error messages revealing sensitive details like stack traces. Implementing secure Error Handling to mask internal details is critical to comply with OWASP Top Ten guidelines.

https://owasp.org/www-community/Error_Handling

When integrating serialization frameworks with API Endpoints, failing to validate incoming serialized data can result in unauthorized actions or access to sensitive resources. Enforcing Policy Enforcement measures and validating all inputs is essential to secure such integrations.

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/CORS

Lack of dependency checking and regular updates for serialization frameworks can leave applications vulnerable to exploits targeting known weaknesses. Adopting alerts for vulnerable components and automated update mechanisms is vital, as outlined by the OWASP Top Ten.

https://owasp.org/www-project-dependency-check/

Finally, insecure configuration of serialization frameworks may allow excessive resource consumption during deserialization, leading to denial of service attacks. Limiting resource usage and validating the size of serialized objects are critical steps in preventing such attacks, aligning with OWASP Top Ten's focus on secure resource management.

https://owasp.org/www-community/Denial_of_Service