External risk intelligence

Yii 2 Behavior Attachment Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2024-58136

A vulnerability in the Yii 2 framework allows attackers to execute arbitrary code, impacting organizations using affected versions. This flaw, related to behavior attachment handling, has been actively exploited. The business risk involves potential unauthorized access and control of systems.

4Halo Surface Signal

Yiiframework Yii

before 2.0.52

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2024-58136

Yii is a widely used PHP framework for building web applications and APIs. Because these applications are commonly deployed as public-facing web services, vulnerabilities within the framework core are frequently reachable by remote, unauthenticated internet users.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability exists in the Yii 2 framework that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This flaw arises from how the framework handles the attachment of behaviors defined by a class array. The issue has been observed in active exploitation.

  • Vulnerable Yii 2 framework component
  • Improper handling of behavior attachment
  • Potential for unauthorized code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The attack begins when an organization uses a specific version of the Yii framework. An attacker can then send a specially crafted request to a vulnerable application. This request triggers the vulnerability, enabling the attacker to gain control.

  • Vulnerable Yii version exposed externally.
  • Attacker sends a malicious request.
  • Attacker achieves code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A critical vulnerability in the Yii framework allows for remote code execution, potentially impacting organizations that use versions prior to 2.0.52. This flaw, stemming from how the framework handles behavior attachments, has been actively exploited in the wild. The severity and widespread use of Yii suggest a significant risk to affected systems, necessitating prompt attention.

  • Attackers require no special skill.
  • No authentication or network access needed.
  • High business risk and urgency.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability within the Yii 2 framework allows for the improper handling of behavior attachments, potentially enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Yii 2, including those using it as a component in other products like Craft CMS, face significant business risk. The issue has been observed in active exploitation.

  • Identify all systems and applications using vulnerable Yii 2 versions.
  • Isolate exposed assets or restrict network access.
  • Apply the vendor-provided fix and validate its implementation.
  • Monitor for any related suspicious activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Yii 2 framework and its primary use in web development?

Yii 2 is an open-source PHP framework designed for building modern web applications and APIs. It provides developers with tools and structures to efficiently create the backend logic and architecture of websites and online services, promoting organized and streamlined web development processes.

How does the improper protection of an alternate path vulnerability manifest in Yii 2?

The vulnerability, identified as related to CWE-424, occurs in Yii 2 when behaviors are attached using a specific array definition. This misconfiguration, a regression from CVE-2024-4990, can be exploited by malicious actors to achieve arbitrary code execution on the server.

What is the trigger path for arbitrary code execution in Yii 2 due to this vulnerability?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to a vulnerable Yii 2 application. This triggers the improper handling of behavior attachments, allowing the attacker to execute their own code on the server without requiring special skills or prior authentication.

What is the relevance of CVE-2024-58136 to web applications and what is its exploitation status?

CVE-2024-58136 is a critical vulnerability in the Yii framework affecting versions prior to 2.0.52. It has been actively exploited in the wild between February and April 2025, posing a significant risk to applications using Yii, including those integrated into other products like Craft CMS.

What actions should be taken to address the Yii 2 behavior attachment vulnerability?

Organizations must identify all systems using vulnerable Yii 2 versions, isolate exposed assets or restrict network access, and apply the vendor-provided fix (upgrade to Yii 2.0.52 or later). Continuous monitoring for suspicious activity is also recommended.

References