Summary
Orchid Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability leads to Remote Code Execution
Orchid is a Laravel package that allows application development of back-office applications, admin/user panels, and dashboards.
Workarounds
In this case, it is recommended for users to upgrade to the patched version rather than relying on workarounds. Upgrading to the fixed version ensures that the vulnerability is no longer present and provides the best protection against remote code execution
References
For more detailed information about this workaround and its effectiveness, users should consult the support channels provided by the software or system developer. They can provide specific guidance on implementing this workaround and any potential limitations or caveats associated with it.
This vulnerability was discovered by Vladislav Gladkiy (Positive Technologies)
Impact
A vulnerability present starting in version 14.0.0-alpha4 and prior to version 14.5.0 is related to the deserialization of untrusted data from the _state query parameter, which can result in remote code execution. This vulnerability is related to the deserialization of untrusted data from the _state query parameter, which can result in remote code execution.
Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect. Typical impact: arbitrary code execution or logic abuse.
CVE-2023-36825 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (14.5.0); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
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See it in your environmentNew to Kodem? Get a demo →Remediation advice
The issue has been addressed in version 14.5.0. Users are advised to upgrade their software to this version or any subsequent versions that include the patch. There are no known workarounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2023-36825? CVE-2023-36825 is a critical-severity insecure deserialization vulnerability in orchid/platform (composer), affecting versions >= 14.0.0-alpha4, < 14.5.0. It is fixed in 14.5.0. Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect.
- How severe is CVE-2023-36825? CVE-2023-36825 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of orchid/platform are affected by CVE-2023-36825? orchid/platform (composer) versions >= 14.0.0-alpha4, < 14.5.0 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2023-36825? Yes. CVE-2023-36825 is fixed in 14.5.0. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2023-36825 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-36825 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2023-36825 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-36825? Upgrade
orchid/platformto 14.5.0 or later.