Description

The arrayref crate 0.3.10 for Rust can trigger execution of malicious code when compiling a project that uses the crate, because it has a rogue dependency that registers with a command-and-control server to offer arbitrary code execution.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-21T01:17:02.140Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-21T01:17:02.140Z",
  "executiveSummary": "The vulnerability identified in the arrayref crate 0.3.10 for Rust involves a supply chain compromise via a rogue dependency.\nThis supply chain vector introduces malicious functionality capable of triggering arbitrary code execution during the compilation phase of any Rust project utilizing the affected crate.\nThe primary impact is the potential execution of arbitrary code within the build environment, leading to a complete compromise of the compilation host, developer workstation, or continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline.\nAffected systems include any software development environments or build servers incorporating arrayref version 0.3.10.\nThe risk implications are severe, as build-time code execution bypasses runtime security controls and can lead to unauthorized data exfiltration, credential theft, and source code tampering.\nAttacker capabilities include remote communication with a command-and-control server and execution of arbitrary system commands under the security context of the user or process compiling the Rust project.\nExploitation requirements are minimal, relying solely on the inclusion of the compromised crate version in the project dependency tree and triggering the Cargo build process.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability originates from a supply chain compromise in the arrayref crate 0.3.10, where a malicious or unauthorized dependency was introduced into the crate's dependency manifest (Cargo.toml).\nThe vulnerable component is the build configuration or initialization routine associated with the rogue dependency invoked during the compilation lifecycle of the Rust project.\nAffected versions are strictly constrained to arrayref 0.3.10.\nNo authentication or privilege requirements are necessary for exploitation beyond the inclusion of the vulnerable crate, and no network exposure of the target application is required since execution occurs locally during the build phase.\nThe attack flow initiates when a developer or build system executes the Cargo package manager to compile a project dependent on arrayref 0.3.10.\nDuring the compilation phase, Cargo resolves and builds the dependency graph, automatically compiling and executing build scripts (build.rs) or procedural macros associated with the crates in the dependency tree.\nThe rogue dependency leverages this execution phase to run embedded malicious code directly on the host system.\nThe payload behavior includes registering the compromised build host with an external command-and-control server over the network.\nUpon establishing communication with the command-and-control infrastructure, the payload offers and facilitates arbitrary code execution capabilities, allowing remote threat actors to issue further commands against the build environment.\nThe post-exploitation impact includes unauthorized access to local environment variables, access tokens, source code repositories, and credentials stored on the build machine, as well as the potential injection of backdoors into the final compiled binary artifacts."
}