The Vulnerable Package Reference

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 32 views

Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues Generates WorkerExtensions.csproj Referencing NuGet Packages with Known Vulnerabilities

Microsoft Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that allows developers to run event-driven code without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. However, with the increasing complexity of modern applications, security vulnerabilities can creep in, putting the entire system at risk. In this article, we will explore a specific issue with the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package, which generates a WorkerExtensions.csproj file referencing NuGet packages with known vulnerabilities.

When creating a new Azure Function with a Storage Queue trigger, the WorkerExtensions.csproj file is generated automatically. This file contains the necessary dependencies for the Azure Function to run. However, upon closer inspection, we found that the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package version 5.1.3 is used, which transitively references the Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0. Unfortunately, this package has a known remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2022-41033) as reported on GitHub.

The Vulnerable Package Reference

The WorkerExtensions.csproj file generated during the build contains the following package reference:

<PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues" Version="5.1.3" />

This package reference is the root cause of the vulnerability. The Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0 is used by Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues to handle authentication and authorization. However, this package has a known vulnerability that can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior is that the WorkerExtensions.csproj file should use versions of Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues that do not contain security vulnerabilities. In this case, the package reference should be updated to use a version that is not affected by the vulnerability.

Steps to Reproduce

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Create a new Azure Function: Create a new Azure Function project using the Azure Functions template.
Select Storage Queue Trigger: Select the Storage Queue trigger as the trigger for the Azure Function.
Build the project: Build the Azure Function project to generate the WorkerExtensions.csproj file.
Check the WorkerExtensions.csproj file: Open the WorkerExtensions.csproj file located in the obj\Debug\net8.0 directory.
Find the vulnerable package reference: Search for the package reference <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues" Version="5.1.3" />.
Check the transitive Azure.Identity package used: Check the transitive dependencies of the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package to verify that it uses the vulnerable Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0.

In conclusion, the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package generates a WorkerExtensions.csproj file that references NuGet packages with known vulnerabilities. The Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0 is used by this package, which has a known remote code execution vulnerability. To mitigate this issue, the package reference should be updated to use a version that is not affected by the vulnerability. By following the steps outlined in this article, developers can identify and fix this issue in their Azure Function projects.

To avoid this issue in the future, follow these recommendations:

Regularly update NuGet packages: Regularly update NuGet packages to ensure that you have the latest versions with security patches.
Use package versioning: Use package versioning to ensure that you are using the latest versions of packages.
Monitor package dependencies: Monitor package dependencies to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Use a package manager: Use a package manager like NuGet to manage package dependencies and ensure that you have the latest versions.

By following these recommendations, developers can ensure that their Azure Function projects are secure and free from known vulnerabilities.

For more information on this issue, refer to the following resources:

GitHub Advisory Database: GHSA-5mfx-4wcx-rv27
Azure Functions documentation: Azure Functions
NuGet documentation: NuGet

By staying informed and following best practices, developers can ensure that their Azure Function projects are secure and reliable.
Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues Generates WorkerExtensions.csproj Referencing NuGet Packages with Known Vulnerabilities: Q&A

In our previous article, we discussed the issue with the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package generating a WorkerExtensions.csproj file that references NuGet packages with known vulnerabilities. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address common questions and concerns related to this issue.

Q: What is the root cause of the vulnerability?

A: The root cause of the vulnerability is the use of the Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0 by the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package. This package has a known remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2022-41033) as reported on GitHub.

Q: How can I identify if my Azure Function project is affected by this issue?

A: To identify if your Azure Function project is affected by this issue, follow these steps:

Check the WorkerExtensions.csproj file: Open the WorkerExtensions.csproj file located in the obj\Debug\net8.0 directory.
Find the vulnerable package reference: Search for the package reference <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues" Version="5.1.3" />.
Check the transitive Azure.Identity package used: Check the transitive dependencies of the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package to verify that it uses the vulnerable Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0.

Q: How can I update the `WorkerExtensions.csproj` file to use a version of `Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues` that is not affected by the vulnerability?

A: To update the WorkerExtensions.csproj file, follow these steps:

Update the package reference: Update the package reference to use a version of Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues that is not affected by the vulnerability. For example, you can use version 5.2.0 or later.
Check the transitive dependencies: Verify that the transitive dependencies of the updated package reference do not include the vulnerable Azure.Identity package version 1.7.0.

Q: Can I use a different package to replace `Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues`?

A: Yes, you can use a different package to replace Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues. However, you should ensure that the replacement package is compatible with your Azure Function project and does not introduce any new vulnerabilities.

Q: How can I prevent this issue from occurring in the future?

A: To prevent this issue from occurring in the future, follow these best practices:

Regularly update NuGet packages: Regularly update NuGet packages to ensure that you have the latest versions with security patches.
Use package versioning: Use package versioning to ensure that you are using the latest versions of packages.
Monitor package dependencies: Monitor package dependencies to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Use a package manager: Use a package manager like NuGet to manage package dependencies and ensure that you have the latest versions.

Q: What are the consequences of not addressing this issue?

A: If you do not address this issue, you may be vulnerable to remote code execution attacks, which can compromise the security of your Azure Function project and potentially lead to data breaches or other security incidents.

In conclusion, the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions.Storage.Queues package generates a WorkerExtensions.csproj file that references NuGet packages with known vulnerabilities. By following the steps outlined in this article, developers can identify and fix this issue in their Azure Function projects. Additionally, by following best practices and regularly updating NuGet packages, developers can prevent this issue from occurring in the future.

For more information on this issue, refer to the following resources:

GitHub Advisory Database: GHSA-5mfx-4wcx-rv27
Azure Functions documentation: Azure Functions
NuGet documentation: NuGet

By staying informed and following best practices, developers can ensure that their Azure Function projects are secure and reliable.