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 Serialization Settings, Misconfigured Serialization Settings, Misconfigured Logging of Deserialization Errors

TLDR: Misconfigured YAML, introduced in 2001, can lead to vulnerabilities such as remote code execution (RCE), data tampering, and denial of service attacks. These vulnerabilities arise from insecure deserialization, improper input validation, and weak schema enforcement, violating several OWASP Top Ten principles, including Input Validation, Access Controls, and secure Error Handling.

https://yaml.org/

Improper input validation during YAML parsing allows attackers to inject malicious payloads or manipulate configuration files. Without validation, harmful inputs may bypass application logic, leading to RCE or data modification. Adhering to OWASP Top Ten guidelines ensures strict Input Validation.

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

Unrestricted deserialization of YAML files is a common cause of RCE. YAML's flexibility in handling complex data structures allows attackers to exploit unsafe object types or arbitrary code execution. Using safe loaders such as `SafeLoader` mitigates this risk, aligning with OWASP Top Ten's secure deserialization principles.

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

Lack of proper Access Controls on YAML configuration files can lead to unauthorized modifications. Attackers exploiting weak access permissions may alter configurations to gain elevated privileges or disrupt services. Implementing strict file permissions and access policies ensures compliance with OWASP Top Ten best practices.

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

Sensitive data embedded within YAML files, such as API keys or credentials, may be exposed if the files are not encrypted. Following OWASP Top Ten guidelines, sensitive fields should be encrypted to prevent data leakage, and transport-layer encryption (e.g., TLS) should be employed.

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

Inadequate Error Handling in YAML processing can inadvertently expose internal details such as stack traces or debugging information. Secure Error Handling ensures that error messages do not disclose sensitive application details to attackers, aligning with OWASP Top Ten recommendations.

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

Over-reliance on default YAML parser configurations can leave applications vulnerable. Default settings may not enforce strict schema validation or limit dangerous operations. Reviewing and customizing parser configurations is essential to align with OWASP Top Ten best practices for Framework Defaults.

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

Neglecting secure logging practices when handling YAML files can expose sensitive data. Logging unencrypted or unsanitized configurations increases the risk of data leakage. Adopting secure Logging practices ensures compliance with OWASP Top Ten guidelines.

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

Improper implementation of CORS policies for YAML-based APIs can lead to unauthorized cross-domain access. Enforcing strict origin policies and validating cross-domain requests ensure compliance with OWASP Top Ten's Policy Enforcement principles.

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

Failing to monitor and update dependencies for YAML parsers can expose applications to vulnerabilities in outdated components. Using alerts for vulnerable components and automated dependency checks ensures security, aligning with OWASP Top Ten's recommendations.

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

Unrestricted processing of excessively large or complex YAML files can lead to denial of service attacks. Limiting file sizes and resource usage during parsing mitigates these risks, complying with OWASP Top Ten's resource management principles.

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