CVE-2023-48699
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-48699 is a remote code execution vulnerability in fastbots library versions before 0.1.5. Attackers can inject malicious Python code into locators.ini configuration files, which gets executed without proper validation, allowing arbitrary code execution. This affects any application using vulnerable fastbots versions for bot or scraper development.
💻 Affected Systems
- fastbots
📦 What is this software?
Fastbots by Ubertidavide
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining complete control over the host running fastbots, enabling data theft, lateral movement, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Arbitrary code execution in the context of the fastbots application, potentially leading to data exfiltration, credential theft, or further exploitation of the host system.
If Mitigated
No impact if proper input validation and file integrity controls are implemented, or if the system is isolated with minimal privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to modify locators.ini files, which could be achieved through file upload vulnerabilities, compromised accounts, or supply chain attacks. The vulnerability is straightforward to exploit once file modification is achieved.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 0.1.5 and above
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/security/advisories/GHSA-vccg-f4gp-45x9
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update fastbots using pip: 'pip install fastbots>=0.1.5' 2. Restart any applications using fastbots 3. Verify the update with 'pip show fastbots'
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict locators.ini file permissions
linuxSet strict file permissions on locators.ini files to prevent unauthorized modifications
chmod 600 locators.ini
chown root:root locators.ini
Validate locators.ini content
allImplement custom validation to ensure locators.ini contains only expected format and no executable code
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls on locators.ini files and monitor for unauthorized modifications
- Run fastbots applications in isolated containers or virtual machines with minimal privileges
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check fastbots version with 'pip show fastbots' and verify if version is below 0.1.5Check Version:
pip show fastbots | grep VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm fastbots version is 0.1.5 or higher with 'pip show fastbots' and test that malicious Python code in locators.ini no longer executes📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Python execution errors from fastbots
- File modification events on locators.ini files
- Unusual process execution from fastbots context
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from fastbots process to unexpected destinations
- DNS queries for command and control domains
SIEM Query:
process.name: 'python' AND process.args: '*fastbots*' AND event.action: 'exec' AND NOT user.name: [expected_users]🔗 References
- https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/commit/73eb03bd75365e112b39877e26ef52853f5e9f57
- https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/pull/3#issue-2003080806
- https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/security/advisories/GHSA-vccg-f4gp-45x9
- https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/commit/73eb03bd75365e112b39877e26ef52853f5e9f57
- https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/pull/3#issue-2003080806
- https://github.com/ubertidavide/fastbots/security/advisories/GHSA-vccg-f4gp-45x9
