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 settings, found in various frameworks since their inception in the 1990s, can lead to vulnerabilities such as data leakage, remote code execution (RCE), and denial of service attacks. These issues stem from weak deserialization safeguards, improper input validation, and failure to enforce secure configurations, violating several OWASP Top Ten principles, including Input Validation, Access Controls, and secure Error Handling.

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

Improper input validation during serialization and deserialization processes allows attackers to inject malicious data. For example, unvalidated inputs passed into a serialization routine can introduce payloads that exploit application logic. Adhering to OWASP Top Ten's emphasis on Input Validation mitigates these risks.

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

Insecure deserialization is a major risk associated with misconfigured serialization settings. Attackers can inject objects that, when deserialized, execute arbitrary code. Configuring deserialization to accept only specific types through allowlists addresses this vulnerability, aligning with OWASP Top Ten guidance.

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

Failing to secure access to serialized data or endpoints that perform serialization exposes systems to data tampering and unauthorized access. Enforcing robust Access Controls ensures that only authenticated and authorized entities can interact with serialization processes, following OWASP Top Ten best practices.

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

Sensitive data embedded in serialized objects, such as session tokens or credentials, is at risk of exposure if serialization settings do not enforce encryption. Encrypting sensitive fields and ensuring transport-level encryption with TLS comply with OWASP Top Ten's Data Encryption recommendations.

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

Improper Error Handling during serialization can inadvertently expose sensitive details, such as schema paths or internal stack traces, to attackers. Secure Error Handling ensures that only generic error messages are returned, while logging critical details for debugging, adhering to OWASP Top Ten guidelines.

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

Over-reliance on default configurations in serialization frameworks often results in insecure implementations. Framework Defaults may enable dangerous operations, such as dynamic type resolution. Reviewing and customizing these settings to meet security requirements aligns with OWASP Top Ten best practices.

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

Logging raw serialized data without sanitization increases the risk of data leakage. Adopting secure Logging practices, such as masking sensitive fields and encrypting logs, ensures compliance with OWASP Top Ten standards for secure monitoring and logging.

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

Neglecting regular updates for serialization libraries can leave applications vulnerable to known exploits in older versions. Conducting dependency checking and leveraging alerts for vulnerable components mitigate risks from outdated libraries, adhering to OWASP Top Ten recommendations.

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

Excessive resource usage during serialization and deserialization can expose applications to denial of service attacks. Limiting the size and complexity of serialized objects ensures compliance with OWASP Top Ten's focus on secure resource management.

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

Lastly, failing to sandbox serialization environments can lead to RCE if untrusted data is processed. Isolating deserialization operations from critical systems reduces risk and aligns with OWASP Top Ten's emphasis on secure template engine and serialization practices.

https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/Code_Injection