T09 · Insecure Skill Coding Practices
- Location
SKILL.md:577- Finding
Remote Debugger Exposed on All Network Interfaces
- Content
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Vulnerability Details
File Location:
SKILL.md:577
Vulnerability Type: Unrestricted network exposure of a remote debugging service
Risk Level: HighVulnerable Code:
text | **gdbserver** | Remote | `gdbserver --multi 0.0.0.0:23947` | Remote debugging for embedded systems |Technical Analysis
The documented command starts
gdbserverin multi-session mode and binds it to0.0.0.0, making TCP port 23947 available through every IPv4 interface. This exceeds the minimum privilege required for ordinary local binary analysis, where a loopback-only listener is sufficient.The GDB remote protocol does not provide an appropriate native authentication or encrypted transport boundary for exposure to untrusted networks. If host or network firewall rules permit access, an unauthorized party could connect with a compatible GDB client. Debugger capabilities can include starting or attaching to processes, reading process memory and registers, changing execution state, and writing process memory.
Attack Path
- A user or Agent follows the documented command and starts
gdbserver. - The service listens on TCP port 23947 across all IPv4 interfaces.
- Host, container, cloud, or network firewall policy allows an attacker to reach that port.
- The attacker connects using a GDB-compatible remote client.
- The attacker abuses the debugging session when a process is started or attached, potentially inspecting sensitive memory or altering program execution.
- Any resulting access operates within the permissions and isolation boundary of the account or container running
gdbserver.
Impact Assessment
A reachable attacker could obtain debugger-level influence over processes managed through the exposed server. Potential consequences include disclosure of credentials or other secrets held in process memory, modification of runtime data, alteration of control flow, denial of service, and code execution ...[truncated 276 chars]
- A user or Agent follows the documented command and starts
- Remediation
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Remediation Suggestions
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Replace the default command with a loopback-only listener:
bash gdbserver --multi 127.0.0.1:23947 -
If remote debugging is necessary, carry the connection through an authenticated and encrypted SSH tunnel or a properly configured VPN rather than exposing the GDB protocol directly.
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Restrict access with host and network firewall rules to specifically authorized administration endpoints.
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Run the service under a dedicated, unprivileged account with access only to the intended target process and files.
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Use container or sandbox isolation where practical.
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Start the debugger only for the required analysis session and terminate it immediately afterward.
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Add an explicit warning that binding to
0.0.0.0is unsafe unless an independently authenticated and tightly restricted network boundary is in place.
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