# CVE-2021-3035: Bridgecrew Checkov: Unsafe deserialization of Terraform files allows code execution

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code by providing malicious Terraform files to the Checkov security scanner.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.7 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Apr 2021
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** BIT-checkov-2021-3035, GHSA-8cpg-gfv8-mrmw

## What is CVE-2021-3035?

CVE-2021-3035 is a medium-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Bridgecrew Checkov, published on 20 Apr 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Bridgecrew Checkov by Prisma Cloud allows arbitrary code execution when processing a malicious terraform file. This issue impacts Checkov 2.0 versions earlier than Checkov 2.0.26. Checkov 1.0 versions are not impacted.

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-3035?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including checkov. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `checkov` | Bitnami | From 2.0.0 | 2.0.26 |

Products: Paloaltonetworks Bridgecrew Checkov.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-3035?

Upgrade checkov to 2.0.26 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-3035 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-3035 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Palo Alto Networks Bridgecrew Checkov

- [CVE-2021-3040](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3040/): Bridgecrew Checkov: Unsafe deserialization of Terraform files allows code execution (medium 6.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-3035 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-3035 is a medium-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks Bridgecrew Checkov, published on 20 Apr 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-3035 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- checkov (Bitnami): affected from 2.0.0; fixed in 2.0.26

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3035/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3035/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-3035
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3035
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-3035

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3035/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.