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Stealth Attack: Why Your GitHub Project Could Be Hiding a Malware Time Bomb Delivered via JSON. (A CISO’s Guide to Hunting Supply Chain Deserialization Flaws) – by CyberDudeBivash

By CyberDudeBivash · 01 Nov 2025 · cyberdudebivash.com · Intel on cyberbivash.blogspot.com

JSON INJECTION • SUPPLY CHAIN • DESERIALIZATION • GITHUB RCE • EDR BYPASS • CREDENTIAL HARVEST • CYBERDUDEBIVASH AUTHORITY

The JSON Malware Time Bomb is a critical Supply Chain Attack TTP where hackers inject malicious code into seemingly benign configuration files (JSON, YAML) within a public repository. This exploit bypasses SAST/DAST scanners and triggers Remote Code Execution (RCE) when the developer’s trusted IDE or build runner parses the infected file.

This is a decision-grade CISO brief from CyberDudeBivash. The flaw exploits Insecure Deserialization (OWASP A08), turning the act of loading a configuration file into an immediate SYSTEM compromise. Since the attack originates from the Trusted Code Repository, it bypasses the EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and leads directly to Credential Harvesting (AWS keys, GitHub PATs). We provide the definitive Threat Hunting and DevSecOps Hardening playbook to neutralize this invisible, internal threat.

SUMMARY – A single malicious JSON file in your code can compromise your build server or developer laptop instantly.

The Failure: The flaw is Insecure Deserialization. The trusted application processes malicious code hidden in the data structure.
The TTP Hunt: Hunting for Anomalous Shell Spawning (npm.exe or java.exe spawning powershell.exe) and immediate file access attempts on ~/.aws/credentials.
The CyberDudeBivash Fix: AUDIT DESERIALIZATION. Mandate Application Control (WDAC/AppLocker) to block shell spawning from the IDE/Build Runner. Enforce SessionShield to detect the post-RCE token theft.
THE ACTION: Book your FREE 30-Minute Ransomware Readiness Assessment to validate your Deserialization Defense and Secrets Management NOW.

Contents

Phase 1: The DevSecOps Failure-JSON as the Malware Time Bomb

The JSON Malware Time Bomb is a critical Supply Chain Attack TTP that exploits the rapid, automated nature of modern development pipelines. The vulnerability is a consequence of developers prioritizing ease of use over security, allowing Insecure Deserialization-the process of converting complex data structures (like JSON, YAML, or XML) back into runnable program objects-to become a vector for Remote Code Execution (RCE).

The Core Flaw: Insecure Deserialization (OWASP A08)

The OWASP Top 10 classifies this as A08: Software and Data Integrity Failures. The flaw occurs when an application uses an insecure method to process a JSON or YAML configuration file (e.g., Python’s pickle module or Java’s serialization). The attacker injects malicious code directly into the data structure itself.

CyberDudeBivash analysis confirms the severe risk factors:

Stealth Bypass: The malicious payload is not visible as an executable file. It is hidden within the data structure of a configuration file (e.g., package.json, settings.json, config.yaml). Antivirus (AV) and Static Analysis Security Testing (SAST) tools pass the file as benign data.
Trusted Execution: The RCE is triggered when the developer’s trusted IDE (like Lite XL) or the CI/CD Build Runner loads the compromised configuration file. The IDE or runner, running with high privileges, executes the payload without security checks.
Supply Chain Impact: A single malicious commit to a central code repository (GitHub, GitLab) or the compromise of an Open Source library can distribute this malware time bomb to thousands of downstream developers and build servers.

The Attacker’s Goal: Instant Credential Harvesting

The primary goal of the attack is to compromise the developer’s Tier 0 workstation or the Build Server (the most privileged asset in the pipeline) to steal access keys:

AWS/Cloud Tokens: Stealing AWS IAM keys, Alibaba Cloud secrets, and deployment tokens.
Session Hijack Prep: Stealing GitHub Personal Access Tokens (PATs) and active M365 session cookies.

EDR FAILED? BRIDGE THE GAP WITH SESSIONSHIELD. The ultimate goal of this RCE is Token Theft. Once the attacker gains SYSTEM access, they steal AWS/GitHub session tokens. Our proprietary app, SessionShield, detects the anomalous use of that privileged session (Impossible Travel, anomalous volume) and instantly kills the session, neutralizing the post-exploit phase. Deploy SessionShield today.
Protect Your Privileged Sessions with SessionShield →

Phase 2: The Deserialization Kill Chain-From Data Structure to RCE

The kill chain leveraging Insecure Deserialization is complex, utilizing the application’s internal functions against itself.

Stage 1: Injection and Persistence in Data

The attacker identifies a vulnerable function (e.g., a simple code block that calls a library’s load() or parse() function without sanitization). The attacker crafts a payload that, when deserialized, creates a malicious object that triggers a Constructor RCE-executing a shell command upon creation.

Payload: The malicious payload is committed to the repository (e.g., in a settings file). The attacker waits for a developer to clone the repo or the CI/CD pipeline to pull the code.
Execution: The vulnerability is triggered when the application executes the parsing function: config = json.loads(malicious_json).

Stage 2: EDR Bypass and Shell Spawning

The attacker’s shellcode executes a definitive LotL command (MITRE T1059.001):

Fileless Execution: The trusted application process (e.g., python.exe, npm.exe, or java.exe) spawns powershell.exe -e [Encoded Payload] or /bin/bash.
EDR Blindness: The EDR sees its whitelisted, signed binary (the IDE or Build Runner) spawning a shell. Since developers often execute scripts, the EDR classifies this as low-severity noise, allowing the attacker to steal keys and prepare for ransomware deployment.

Phase 3: The EDR and Firewall Bypass-Trusted Execution Hijack

The JSON Time Bomb exploits the single biggest flaw in DevSecOps: the Trusted Developer Workstation.

Failure Point A: The DevSecOps Blind Spot

The EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solution fails because the attack is a Trusted Process Hijack (MITRE T1219). The execution chain is whitelisted and trusted:

Trusted Execution: Visual Studio Code.exe or gitlab-runner.exe is running the payload. EDR is configured to trust these binaries.
Credential Access: The attacker gains access to Tier 0 credentials that are often stored locally on developer machines (e.g., in configuration files or the credential manager).

CRITICAL ACTION: BOOK YOUR FREE 30-MINUTE RANSOMWARE READINESS ASSESSMENT

Stop guessing if your build pipeline is compromised. Our CyberDudeBivash experts will analyze your EDR telemetry for the specific Deserialization RCE and Trusted Process Hijack indicators. Get a CISO-grade action plan-no fluff.Book Your FREE 30-Min Assessment Now →

Phase 4: The Strategic Hunt Guide-IOCs for Anomalous Shell and Credential Access

The CyberDudeBivash mandate: Hunting the JSON Time Bomb requires focusing on the Behavioral Anomalies of the parsing process (MITRE T1059).

Hunt IOD 1: Anomalous Shell Spawning (The P1 Alert)

The highest fidelity IOC (Indicator of Compromise) is the violation of the normal application process model.

EDR Hunt Rule Stub (High Fidelity Deserialization RCE):
SELECT  FROM process_events

WHERE

parent_process_name IN ('npm.exe', 'java.exe', 'python.exe', 'vscode.exe', 'rider.exe')

AND

process_name IN ('powershell.exe', 'cmd.exe', 'bash', 'nc.exe')

AND

command_line LIKE '%-e%' -- Hunting fileless payload execution

Hunt IOD 2: Unauthorized Secrets Access

The attacker’s goal is to steal cloud keys. Hunt for anomalous file access patterns (T1083).

Hunting IOD: Alert on Lite XL IDE or its child processes (powershell.exe) attempting to read sensitive files: ~/.aws/credentials, ~/.ssh/id_rsa, or Cloud Token Storage.
SessionShield Correlation: Correlate credential file access with SessionShield logs to detect the subsequent Impossible Travel login using the stolen token.

Phase 5: Mitigation and Resilience-Application Control and Supply Chain Hardening

The definitive defense against the JSON Malware Time Bomb is proactive hardening that eliminates the execution capability of the compromised tool (MITRE T1560).

Mandate 1: Application Control (The Execution Killer)

You must prevent the compromised tool from executing any secondary shell process.

WDAC/AppLocker: Enforce a policy that explicitly blocks developer tools (python.exe, java.exe, vscode.exe) from spawning shell processes (powershell.exe, cmd.exe). This breaks the kill chain at the RCE stage.

Mandate 2: Input Sanitization and Code Review

The code must be fixed to prevent Insecure Deserialization (OWASP A08).

Secure Deserialization: Developers must only use safe, schema-validated JSON parsing libraries (e.g., avoiding Python’s pickle module entirely) for user or repository data.
AI Red Team Audits: Engage the CyberDudeBivash AI Red Team to simulate Insecure Deserialization RCEs against your source code, verifying that your parsing methods are safe.

Phase 6: DevSecOps Mandates-Securing Secrets and CI/CD Execution

Securing the GitHub Project requires strict controls on secrets management and CI/CD integrity.

Secrets Vault Integration: Mandate the use of a dedicated Secrets Vault for all database credentials and API keys. Block the storage of Hardcoded Secrets (T1552) on developer machines and in repositories.
Least Privilege Runners: Isolate CI/CD Runners and enforce the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP), ensuring the runner’s IAM role cannot access sensitive data (like the Cloud Admin Console) or initiate Lateral Movement on the corporate network.

CyberDudeBivash Ecosystem: Authority and Solutions for DevSecOps Security

CyberDudeBivash is the authority in cyber defense because we provide a complete CyberDefense Ecosystem designed to combat supply chain threats.

AI Red Team & VAPT: The definitive service for finding Insecure Deserialization and Business Logic Flaws in source code.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR): Our 24/7 human Threat Hunters specialize in monitoring the EDR telemetry for the Trusted Process Hijack (python.exe -> powershell.exe) and anomalous Credential File Access.
SessionShield: The definitive solution for Session Hijacking, neutralizing credential theft and preventing subsequent data exfiltration.

Expert FAQ & Conclusion

Q: What is Insecure Deserialization?

A: Insecure Deserialization (OWASP A08) is a vulnerability where the application converts untrusted data (like JSON or YAML) into live program objects. If the data contains specific instructions (e.g., a Constructor RCE), the program executes arbitrary code upon loading the configuration file.

Q: How does this bypass my EDR?

A: The EDR fails due to Trusted Process Hijack. It sees the signed IDE or Build Runner (trusted) spawning a shell (an expected development activity). The EDR logs it as noise, allowing the fileless RCE to proceed uncontained.

Q: What is the single most effective defense?

A: Application Control (WDAC/AppLocker). This prevents the RCE from executing its secondary shell payload, breaking the attacker’s kill chain. This must be coupled with strict Deserialization Validation in the codebase and SessionShield to detect post-compromise token use.

The Final Word: Your source code is hiding a malware time bomb. The CyberDudeBivash framework mandates eliminating the Insecure Deserialization vulnerability and enforcing Application Control to secure the DevSecOps pipeline.

ACT NOW: YOU NEED A DESERIALIZATION AUDIT.

Book your FREE 30-Minute Ransomware Readiness Assessment. We will analyze your EDR telemetry and source code for the Deserialization RCE and Trusted Process Hijack indicators to show you precisely where your defense fails.Book Your FREE 30-Min Assessment Now →

CyberDudeBivash Recommended Defense Stack (Tools We Trust)

To combat insider and external threats, deploy a defense-in-depth architecture. Our experts vet these partners.

Kaspersky EDR (Sensor Layer)
The core behavioral EDR required to detect LotL TTPs and fileless execution. Essential for MDR. AliExpress (FIDO2 Hardware)
Mandatory Phish-Proof MFA. Stops 99% of Session Hijacking by enforcing token binding. Edureka (Training/DevSecOps)
Train your team on behavioral TTPs (LotL, Prompt Injection). Bridge the skills gap.

Alibaba Cloud VPC/SEG
Fundamental Network Segmentation. Use ‘Firewall Jails’ to prevent lateral movement (Trusted Pivot). TurboVPN (Secure Access)
Mandatory secure tunneling for all remote admin access and privileged connections. Rewardful (Bug Bounty)
Find your critical vulnerabilities (Logic Flaws, RCEs) before APTs do. Continuous security verification.

Affiliate Disclosure: We earn commissions from partner links at no extra cost to you. These tools are integral components of the CyberDudeBivash Recommended Defense Stack.

CyberDudeBivash – Global Cybersecurity Apps, Services & Threat Intelligence Authority.

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#JSONInjection #Deserialization #GitHubSupplyChain #EDRBypass #DevSecOps #CyberDudeBivash #CISO

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