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Revision 1.23 by root, Fri Sep 8 20:03:06 2023 UTC

33 with the added ability of supporting serialisation of Perl objects. 33 with the added ability of supporting serialisation of Perl objects.
34 (JSON often compresses better than CBOR though, so if you plan to 34 (JSON often compresses better than CBOR though, so if you plan to
35 compress the data later and speed is less important you might want to 35 compress the data later and speed is less important you might want to
36 compare both formats first). 36 compare both formats first).
37 37
38 The primary goal of this module is to be *correct* and the secondary
39 goal is to be *fast*. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
40
38 To give you a general idea about speed, with texts in the megabyte 41 To give you a general idea about speed, with texts in the megabyte
39 range, "CBOR::XS" usually encodes roughly twice as fast as Storable or 42 range, "CBOR::XS" usually encodes roughly twice as fast as Storable or
40 JSON::XS and decodes about 15%-30% faster than those. The shorter the 43 JSON::XS and decodes about 15%-30% faster than those. The shorter the
41 data, the worse Storable performs in comparison. 44 data, the worse Storable performs in comparison.
42 45
47 In addition to the core CBOR data format, this module implements a 50 In addition to the core CBOR data format, this module implements a
48 number of extensions, to support cyclic and shared data structures (see 51 number of extensions, to support cyclic and shared data structures (see
49 "allow_sharing" and "allow_cycles"), string deduplication (see 52 "allow_sharing" and "allow_cycles"), string deduplication (see
50 "pack_strings") and scalar references (always enabled). 53 "pack_strings") and scalar references (always enabled).
51 54
52 The primary goal of this module is to be *correct* and the secondary
53 goal is to be *fast*. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
54
55 See MAPPING, below, on how CBOR::XS maps perl values to CBOR values and 55 See MAPPING, below, on how CBOR::XS maps perl values to CBOR values and
56 vice versa. 56 vice versa.
57 57
58FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 58FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
59 The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 59 The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
78 78
79 The mutators for flags all return the CBOR object again and thus 79 The mutators for flags all return the CBOR object again and thus
80 calls can be chained: 80 calls can be chained:
81 81
82 my $cbor = CBOR::XS->new->encode ({a => [1,2]}); 82 my $cbor = CBOR::XS->new->encode ({a => [1,2]});
83
84 $cbor = new_safe CBOR::XS
85 Create a new, safe/secure CBOR::XS object. This is similar to "new",
86 but configures the coder object to be safe to use with untrusted
87 data. Currently, this is equivalent to:
88
89 my $cbor = CBOR::XS
90 ->new
91 ->validate_utf8
92 ->forbid_objects
93 ->filter (\&CBOR::XS::safe_filter)
94 ->max_size (1e8);
95
96 But is more future proof (it is better to crash because of a change
97 than to be exploited in other ways).
83 98
84 $cbor = $cbor->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 99 $cbor = $cbor->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
85 $max_depth = $cbor->get_max_depth 100 $max_depth = $cbor->get_max_depth
86 Sets the maximum nesting level (default 512) accepted while encoding 101 Sets the maximum nesting level (default 512) accepted while encoding
87 or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in CBOR data or a 102 or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in CBOR data or a
101 116
102 Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default 117 Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default
103 value has been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems 118 value has been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems
104 allow without crashing. 119 allow without crashing.
105 120
106 See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is 121 See "SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS", below, for more info on why this is
107 useful. 122 useful.
108 123
109 $cbor = $cbor->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 124 $cbor = $cbor->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
110 $max_size = $cbor->get_max_size 125 $max_size = $cbor->get_max_size
111 Set the maximum length a CBOR string may have (in bytes) where 126 Set the maximum length a CBOR string may have (in bytes) where
115 exception. This setting has no effect on "encode" (yet). 130 exception. This setting has no effect on "encode" (yet).
116 131
117 If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same 132 If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same
118 as when 0 is specified). 133 as when 0 is specified).
119 134
120 See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is 135 See "SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS", below, for more info on why this is
121 useful. 136 useful.
122 137
123 $cbor = $cbor->allow_unknown ([$enable]) 138 $cbor = $cbor->allow_unknown ([$enable])
124 $enabled = $cbor->get_allow_unknown 139 $enabled = $cbor->get_allow_unknown
125 If $enable is true (or missing), then "encode" will *not* throw an 140 If $enable is true (or missing), then "encode" will *not* throw an
141 instead will emit a reference to the earlier value. 156 instead will emit a reference to the earlier value.
142 157
143 This means that such values will only be encoded once, and will not 158 This means that such values will only be encoded once, and will not
144 result in a deep cloning of the value on decode, in decoders 159 result in a deep cloning of the value on decode, in decoders
145 supporting the value sharing extension. This also makes it possible 160 supporting the value sharing extension. This also makes it possible
146 to encode cyclic data structures (which need "allow_cycles" to ne 161 to encode cyclic data structures (which need "allow_cycles" to be
147 enabled to be decoded by this module). 162 enabled to be decoded by this module).
148 163
149 It is recommended to leave it off unless you know your communication 164 It is recommended to leave it off unless you know your communication
150 partner supports the value sharing extensions to CBOR 165 partner supports the value sharing extensions to CBOR
151 (<http://cbor.schmorp.de/value-sharing>), as without decoder 166 (<http://cbor.schmorp.de/value-sharing>), as without decoder
152 support, the resulting data structure might be unusable. 167 support, the resulting data structure might be unusable.
153 168
154 Detecting shared values incurs a runtime overhead when values are 169 Detecting shared values incurs a runtime overhead when values are
155 encoded that have a reference counter large than one, and might 170 encoded that have a reference counter larger than one, and might
156 unnecessarily increase the encoded size, as potentially shared 171 unnecessarily increase the encoded size, as potentially shared
157 values are encode as shareable whether or not they are actually 172 values are encoded as shareable whether or not they are actually
158 shared. 173 shared.
159 174
160 At the moment, only targets of references can be shared (e.g. 175 At the moment, only targets of references can be shared (e.g.
161 scalars, arrays or hashes pointed to by a reference). Weirder 176 scalars, arrays or hashes pointed to by a reference). Weirder
162 constructs, such as an array with multiple "copies" of the *same* 177 constructs, such as an array with multiple "copies" of the *same*
178 code that isn't prepared for this will not leak memory. 193 code that isn't prepared for this will not leak memory.
179 194
180 If $enable is false (the default), then "decode" will throw an error 195 If $enable is false (the default), then "decode" will throw an error
181 when it encounters a self-referential/cyclic data structure. 196 when it encounters a self-referential/cyclic data structure.
182 197
183 FUTURE DIRECTION: the motivation behind this option is to avoid
184 *real* cycles - future versions of this module might chose to decode
185 cyclic data structures using weak references when this option is
186 off, instead of throwing an error.
187
188 This option does not affect "encode" in any way - shared values and 198 This option does not affect "encode" in any way - shared values and
189 references will always be encoded properly if present. 199 references will always be encoded properly if present.
200
201 $cbor = $cbor->allow_weak_cycles ([$enable])
202 $enabled = $cbor->get_allow_weak_cycles
203 This works like "allow_cycles" in that it allows the resulting data
204 structures to contain cycles, but unlike "allow_cycles", those
205 cyclic rreferences will be weak. That means that code that
206 recurrsively walks the data structure must be prepared with cycles,
207 but at least not special precautions must be implemented to free
208 these data structures.
209
210 Only those references leading to actual cycles will be weakened -
211 other references, e.g. when the same hash or arrray is referenced
212 multiple times in an arrray, will be normal references.
213
214 This option does not affect "encode" in any way - shared values and
215 references will always be encoded properly if present.
216
217 $cbor = $cbor->forbid_objects ([$enable])
218 $enabled = $cbor->get_forbid_objects
219 Disables the use of the object serialiser protocol.
220
221 If $enable is true (or missing), then "encode" will will throw an
222 exception when it encounters perl objects that would be encoded
223 using the perl-object tag (26). When "decode" encounters such tags,
224 it will fall back to the general filter/tagged logic as if this were
225 an unknown tag (by default resulting in a "CBOR::XC::Tagged"
226 object).
227
228 If $enable is false (the default), then "encode" will use the
229 Types::Serialiser object serialisation protocol to serialise objects
230 into perl-object tags, and "decode" will do the same to decode such
231 tags.
232
233 See "SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS", below, for more info on why
234 forbidding this protocol can be useful.
190 235
191 $cbor = $cbor->pack_strings ([$enable]) 236 $cbor = $cbor->pack_strings ([$enable])
192 $enabled = $cbor->get_pack_strings 237 $enabled = $cbor->get_pack_strings
193 If $enable is true (or missing), then "encode" will try not to 238 If $enable is true (or missing), then "encode" will try not to
194 encode the same string twice, but will instead encode a reference to 239 encode the same string twice, but will instead encode a reference to
243 perl strings as CBOR byte strings. 288 perl strings as CBOR byte strings.
244 289
245 This option does not affect "decode" in any way. 290 This option does not affect "decode" in any way.
246 291
247 This option has similar advantages and disadvantages as "text_keys". 292 This option has similar advantages and disadvantages as "text_keys".
248 In addition, this option effectively removes the ability to encode 293 In addition, this option effectively removes the ability to
249 byte strings, which might break some "FREEZE" and "TO_CBOR" methods 294 automatically encode byte strings, which might break some "FREEZE"
250 that rely on this, such as bignum encoding, so this option is mainly 295 and "TO_CBOR" methods that rely on this.
251 useful for very simple data. 296
297 A workaround is to use explicit type casts, which are unaffected by
298 this option.
252 299
253 $cbor = $cbor->validate_utf8 ([$enable]) 300 $cbor = $cbor->validate_utf8 ([$enable])
254 $enabled = $cbor->get_validate_utf8 301 $enabled = $cbor->get_validate_utf8
255 If $enable is true (or missing), then "decode" will validate that 302 If $enable is true (or missing), then "decode" will validate that
256 elements (text strings) containing UTF-8 data in fact contain valid 303 elements (text strings) containing UTF-8 data in fact contain valid
297 When the filter is cleared (the default state), the default filter 344 When the filter is cleared (the default state), the default filter
298 function, "CBOR::XS::default_filter", is used. This function simply 345 function, "CBOR::XS::default_filter", is used. This function simply
299 looks up the tag in the %CBOR::XS::FILTER hash. If an entry exists 346 looks up the tag in the %CBOR::XS::FILTER hash. If an entry exists
300 it must be a code reference that is called with tag and value, and 347 it must be a code reference that is called with tag and value, and
301 is responsible for decoding the value. If no entry exists, it 348 is responsible for decoding the value. If no entry exists, it
302 returns no values. 349 returns no values. "CBOR::XS" provides a number of default filter
350 functions already, the the %CBOR::XS::FILTER hash can be freely
351 extended with more.
352
353 "CBOR::XS" additionally provides an alternative filter function that
354 is supposed to be safe to use with untrusted data (which the default
355 filter might not), called "CBOR::XS::safe_filter", which works the
356 same as the "default_filter" but uses the %CBOR::XS::SAFE_FILTER
357 variable instead. It is prepopulated with the tag decoding functions
358 that are deemed safe (basically the same as %CBOR::XS::FILTER
359 without all the bignum tags), and can be extended by user code as
360 wlel, although, obviously, one should be very careful about adding
361 decoding functions here, since the expectation is that they are safe
362 to use on untrusted data, after all.
303 363
304 Example: decode all tags not handled internally into 364 Example: decode all tags not handled internally into
305 "CBOR::XS::Tagged" objects, with no other special handling (useful 365 "CBOR::XS::Tagged" objects, with no other special handling (useful
306 when working with potentially "unsafe" CBOR data). 366 when working with potentially "unsafe" CBOR data).
307 367
313 $CBOR::XS::FILTER{1347375694} = sub { 373 $CBOR::XS::FILTER{1347375694} = sub {
314 my ($tag, $value); 374 my ($tag, $value);
315 375
316 "tag 1347375694 value $value" 376 "tag 1347375694 value $value"
317 }; 377 };
378
379 Example: provide your own filter function that looks up tags in your
380 own hash:
381
382 my %my_filter = (
383 998347484 => sub {
384 my ($tag, $value);
385
386 "tag 998347484 value $value"
387 };
388 );
389
390 my $coder = CBOR::XS->new->filter (sub {
391 &{ $my_filter{$_[0]} or return }
392 });
393
394 Example: use the safe filter function (see "SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS"
395 for more considerations on security).
396
397 CBOR::XS->new->filter (\&CBOR::XS::safe_filter)->decode ($cbor_data);
318 398
319 $cbor_data = $cbor->encode ($perl_scalar) 399 $cbor_data = $cbor->encode ($perl_scalar)
320 Converts the given Perl data structure (a scalar value) to its CBOR 400 Converts the given Perl data structure (a scalar value) to its CBOR
321 representation. 401 representation.
322 402
330 will silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters 410 will silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters
331 consumed so far. 411 consumed so far.
332 412
333 This is useful if your CBOR texts are not delimited by an outer 413 This is useful if your CBOR texts are not delimited by an outer
334 protocol and you need to know where the first CBOR string ends amd 414 protocol and you need to know where the first CBOR string ends amd
335 the next one starts. 415 the next one starts - CBOR strings are self-delimited, so it is
416 possible to concatenate CBOR strings without any delimiters or size
417 fields and recover their data.
336 418
337 CBOR::XS->new->decode_prefix ("......") 419 CBOR::XS->new->decode_prefix ("......")
338 => ("...", 3) 420 => ("...", 3)
339 421
340 INCREMENTAL PARSING 422 INCREMENTAL PARSING
343 data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a CBOR 425 data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a CBOR
344 stream incrementally, using a similar to using "decode_prefix" to see if 426 stream incrementally, using a similar to using "decode_prefix" to see if
345 a full CBOR object is available, but is much more efficient. 427 a full CBOR object is available, but is much more efficient.
346 428
347 It basically works by parsing as much of a CBOR string as possible - if 429 It basically works by parsing as much of a CBOR string as possible - if
348 the CBOR data is not complete yet, the pasrer will remember where it 430 the CBOR data is not complete yet, the parser will remember where it
349 was, to be able to restart when more data has been accumulated. Once 431 was, to be able to restart when more data has been accumulated. Once
350 enough data is available to either decode a complete CBOR value or raise 432 enough data is available to either decode a complete CBOR value or raise
351 an error, a real decode will be attempted. 433 an error, a real decode will be attempted.
352 434
353 A typical use case would be a network protocol that consists of sending 435 A typical use case would be a network protocol that consists of sending
389 $cbor->incr_reset 471 $cbor->incr_reset
390 Resets the incremental decoder. This throws away any saved state, so 472 Resets the incremental decoder. This throws away any saved state, so
391 that subsequent calls to "incr_parse" or "incr_parse_multiple" start 473 that subsequent calls to "incr_parse" or "incr_parse_multiple" start
392 to parse a new CBOR value from the beginning of the $buffer again. 474 to parse a new CBOR value from the beginning of the $buffer again.
393 475
394 This method can be caled at any time, but it *must* be called if you 476 This method can be called at any time, but it *must* be called if
395 want to change your $buffer or there was a decoding error and you 477 you want to change your $buffer or there was a decoding error and
396 want to reuse the $cbor object for future incremental parsings. 478 you want to reuse the $cbor object for future incremental parsings.
397 479
398MAPPING 480MAPPING
399 This section describes how CBOR::XS maps Perl values to CBOR values and 481 This section describes how CBOR::XS maps Perl values to CBOR values and
400 vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 482 vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
401 circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 483 circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
477 "CBOR::XS::tag" to create such objects. 559 "CBOR::XS::tag" to create such objects.
478 560
479 Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false, 561 Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false,
480 Types::Serialiser::error 562 Types::Serialiser::error
481 These special values become CBOR true, CBOR false and CBOR undefined 563 These special values become CBOR true, CBOR false and CBOR undefined
482 values, respectively. You can also use "\1", "\0" and "\undef" 564 values, respectively.
483 directly if you want.
484 565
485 other blessed objects 566 other blessed objects
486 Other blessed objects are serialised via "TO_CBOR" or "FREEZE". See 567 Other blessed objects are serialised via "TO_CBOR" or "FREEZE". See
487 "TAG HANDLING AND EXTENSIONS" for specific classes handled by this 568 "TAG HANDLING AND EXTENSIONS" for specific classes handled by this
488 module, and "OBJECT SERIALISATION" for generic object serialisation. 569 module, and "OBJECT SERIALISATION" for generic object serialisation.
513 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 594 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
514 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 595 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
515 596
516 You can force whether a string is encoded as byte or text string by 597 You can force whether a string is encoded as byte or text string by
517 using "utf8::upgrade" and "utf8::downgrade" (if "text_strings" is 598 using "utf8::upgrade" and "utf8::downgrade" (if "text_strings" is
518 disabled): 599 disabled).
519 600
520 utf8::upgrade $x; # encode $x as text string 601 utf8::upgrade $x; # encode $x as text string
521 utf8::downgrade $x; # encode $x as byte string 602 utf8::downgrade $x; # encode $x as byte string
603
604 More options are available, see "TYPE CASTS", below, and the
605 "text_keys" and "text_strings" options.
522 606
523 Perl doesn't define what operations up- and downgrade strings, so if 607 Perl doesn't define what operations up- and downgrade strings, so if
524 the difference between byte and text is important, you should up- or 608 the difference between byte and text is important, you should up- or
525 downgrade your string as late as possible before encoding. You can 609 downgrade your string as late as possible before encoding. You can
526 also force the use of CBOR text strings by using "text_keys" or 610 also force the use of CBOR text strings by using "text_keys" or
540 possible representation. Floating-point values will use either the 624 possible representation. Floating-point values will use either the
541 IEEE single format if possible without loss of precision, otherwise 625 IEEE single format if possible without loss of precision, otherwise
542 the IEEE double format will be used. Perls that use formats other 626 the IEEE double format will be used. Perls that use formats other
543 than IEEE double to represent numerical values are supported, but 627 than IEEE double to represent numerical values are supported, but
544 might suffer loss of precision. 628 might suffer loss of precision.
629
630 TYPE CASTS
631 EXPERIMENTAL: As an experimental extension, "CBOR::XS" allows you to
632 force specific CBOR types to be used when encoding. That allows you to
633 encode types not normally accessible (e.g. half floats) as well as force
634 string types even when "text_strings" is in effect.
635
636 Type forcing is done by calling a special "cast" function which keeps a
637 copy of the value and returns a new value that can be handed over to any
638 CBOR encoder function.
639
640 The following casts are currently available (all of which are unary
641 operators, that is, have a prototype of "$"):
642
643 CBOR::XS::as_int $value
644 Forces the value to be encoded as some form of (basic, not bignum)
645 integer type.
646
647 CBOR::XS::as_text $value
648 Forces the value to be encoded as (UTF-8) text values.
649
650 CBOR::XS::as_bytes $value
651 Forces the value to be encoded as a (binary) string value.
652
653 Example: encode a perl string as binary even though "text_strings"
654 is in effect.
655
656 CBOR::XS->new->text_strings->encode ([4, "text", CBOR::XS::bytes "bytevalue"]);
657
658 CBOR::XS::as_bool $value
659 Converts a Perl boolean (which can be any kind of scalar) into a
660 CBOR boolean. Strictly the same, but shorter to write, than:
661
662 $value ? Types::Serialiser::true : Types::Serialiser::false
663
664 CBOR::XS::as_float16 $value
665 Forces half-float (IEEE 754 binary16) encoding of the given value.
666
667 CBOR::XS::as_float32 $value
668 Forces single-float (IEEE 754 binary32) encoding of the given value.
669
670 CBOR::XS::as_float64 $value
671 Forces double-float (IEEE 754 binary64) encoding of the given value.
672
673 CBOR::XS::as_cbor $cbor_text
674 Not a type cast per-se, this type cast forces the argument to be
675 encoded as-is. This can be used to embed pre-encoded CBOR data.
676
677 Note that no checking on the validity of the $cbor_text is done -
678 it's the callers responsibility to correctly encode values.
679
680 CBOR::XS::as_map [key => value...]
681 Treat the array reference as key value pairs and output a CBOR map.
682 This allows you to generate CBOR maps with arbitrary key types (or,
683 if you don't care about semantics, duplicate keys or pairs in a
684 custom order), which is otherwise hard to do with Perl.
685
686 The single argument must be an array reference with an even number
687 of elements.
688
689 Note that only the reference to the array is copied, the array
690 itself is not. Modifications done to the array before calling an
691 encoding function will be reflected in the encoded output.
692
693 Example: encode a CBOR map with a string and an integer as keys.
694
695 encode_cbor CBOR::XS::as_map [string => "value", 5 => "value"]
545 696
546 OBJECT SERIALISATION 697 OBJECT SERIALISATION
547 This module implements both a CBOR-specific and the generic 698 This module implements both a CBOR-specific and the generic
548 Types::Serialier object serialisation protocol. The following 699 Types::Serialier object serialisation protocol. The following
549 subsections explain both methods. 700 subsections explain both methods.
840 interoperability is improved in the future, then the goal will be to 991 interoperability is improved in the future, then the goal will be to
841 ensure that decoded JSON data will round-trip encoding and decoding to 992 ensure that decoded JSON data will round-trip encoding and decoding to
842 CBOR intact. 993 CBOR intact.
843 994
844SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 995SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
845 When you are using CBOR in a protocol, talking to untrusted potentially 996 Tl;dr... if you want to decode or encode CBOR from untrusted sources,
846 hostile creatures requires relatively few measures. 997 you should start with a coder object created via "new_safe" (which
998 implements the mitigations explained below):
847 999
1000 my $coder = CBOR::XS->new_safe;
1001
1002 my $data = $coder->decode ($cbor_text);
1003 my $cbor = $coder->encode ($data);
1004
1005 Longer version: When you are using CBOR in a protocol, talking to
1006 untrusted potentially hostile creatures requires some thought:
1007
1008 Security of the CBOR decoder itself
848 First of all, your CBOR decoder should be secure, that is, should not 1009 First and foremost, your CBOR decoder should be secure, that is,
849 have any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and 1010 should not have any buffer overflows or similar bugs that could
1011 potentially be exploited. Obviously, this module should ensure that
850 I am trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1012 and I am trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
851 1013
1014 CBOR::XS can invoke almost arbitrary callbacks during decoding
1015 CBOR::XS supports object serialisation - decoding CBOR can cause
1016 calls to *any* "THAW" method in *any* package that exists in your
1017 process (that is, CBOR::XS will not try to load modules, but any
1018 existing "THAW" method or function can be called, so they all have
1019 to be secure).
1020
1021 Less obviously, it will also invoke "TO_CBOR" and "FREEZE" methods -
1022 even if all your "THAW" methods are secure, encoding data structures
1023 from untrusted sources can invoke those and trigger bugs in those.
1024
1025 So, if you are not sure about the security of all the modules you
1026 have loaded (you shouldn't), you should disable this part using
1027 "forbid_objects" or using "new_safe".
1028
1029 CBOR can be extended with tags that call library code
1030 CBOR can be extended with tags, and "CBOR::XS" has a registry of
1031 conversion functions for many existing tags that can be extended via
1032 third-party modules (see the "filter" method).
1033
1034 If you don't trust these, you should configure the "safe" filter
1035 function, "CBOR::XS::safe_filter" ("new_safe" does this), which by
1036 default only includes conversion functions that are considered
1037 "safe" by the author (but again, they can be extended by third party
1038 modules).
1039
1040 Depending on your level of paranoia, you can use the "safe" filter:
1041
1042 $cbor->filter (\&CBOR::XS::safe_filter);
1043
1044 ... your own filter...
1045
1046 $cbor->filter (sub { ... do your stuffs here ... });
1047
1048 ... or even no filter at all, disabling all tag decoding:
1049
1050 $cbor->filter (sub { });
1051
1052 This is never a problem for encoding, as the tag mechanism only
1053 exists in CBOR texts.
1054
1055 Resource-starving attacks: object memory usage
852 Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you 1056 You need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
853 should limit the size of CBOR data you accept, or make sure then when 1057 limit the size of CBOR data you accept, or make sure then when your
854 your resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate 1058 resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate
855 process that can crash safely). The size of a CBOR string in octets is 1059 process that can crash safely). The size of a CBOR string in octets
856 usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to 1060 is usually a good indication of the size of the resources required
857 decode it into a Perl structure. While CBOR::XS can check the size of 1061 to decode it into a Perl structure. While CBOR::XS can check the
1062 size of the CBOR text (using "max_size" - done by "new_safe"), it
858 the CBOR text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, 1063 might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you might
859 so you might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1064 want to check the size before you accept the string.
860 1065
1066 As for encoding, it is possible to construct data structures that
1067 are relatively small but result in large CBOR texts (for example by
1068 having an array full of references to the same big data structure,
1069 which will all be deep-cloned during encoding by default). This is
1070 rarely an actual issue (and the worst case is still just running out
1071 of memory), but you can reduce this risk by using "allow_sharing".
1072
1073 Resource-starving attacks: stack overflows
861 Third, CBOR::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1074 CBOR::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
862 arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1075 arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
863 machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays 1076 machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested
864 but only 14k nested CBOR objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on 1077 arrays but only 14k nested CBOR objects (due to perl itself
865 croak to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. 1078 recursing deeply on croak to free the temporary). If that is
866 To be conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your 1079 exceeded, the program crashes. To be conservative, the default
867 process has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly 1080 nesting limit is set to 512. If your process has a smaller stack,
868 with the "max_depth" method. 1081 you should adjust this setting accordingly with the "max_depth"
1082 method.
869 1083
1084 Resource-starving attacks: CPU en-/decoding complexity
1085 CBOR::XS will use the Math::BigInt, Math::BigFloat and Math::BigRat
1086 libraries to represent encode/decode bignums. These can be very slow
1087 (as in, centuries of CPU time) and can even crash your program (and
1088 are generally not very trustworthy). See the next section on bignum
1089 security for details.
1090
1091 Data breaches: leaking information in error messages
1092 CBOR::XS might leak contents of your Perl data structures in its
1093 error messages, so when you serialise sensitive information you
1094 might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by CBOR::XS will not
1095 end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1096
1097 Something else...
870 Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that 1098 Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In
871 case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though... 1099 that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints,
872 1100 though...
873 Also keep in mind that CBOR::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
874 structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
875 information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by
876 CBOR::XS will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
877 1101
878BIGNUM SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1102BIGNUM SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
879 CBOR::XS provides a "TO_CBOR" method for both Math::BigInt and 1103 CBOR::XS provides a "TO_CBOR" method for both Math::BigInt and
880 Math::BigFloat that tries to encode the number in the simplest possible 1104 Math::BigFloat that tries to encode the number in the simplest possible
881 way, that is, either a CBOR integer, a CBOR bigint/decimal fraction (tag 1105 way, that is, either a CBOR integer, a CBOR bigint/decimal fraction (tag
923 1147
924LIMITATIONS ON PERLS WITHOUT 64-BIT INTEGER SUPPORT 1148LIMITATIONS ON PERLS WITHOUT 64-BIT INTEGER SUPPORT
925 On perls that were built without 64 bit integer support (these are rare 1149 On perls that were built without 64 bit integer support (these are rare
926 nowadays, even on 32 bit architectures, as all major Perl distributions 1150 nowadays, even on 32 bit architectures, as all major Perl distributions
927 are built with 64 bit integer support), support for any kind of 64 bit 1151 are built with 64 bit integer support), support for any kind of 64 bit
928 integer in CBOR is very limited - most likely, these 64 bit values will 1152 value in CBOR is very limited - most likely, these 64 bit values will be
929 be truncated, corrupted, or otherwise not decoded correctly. This also 1153 truncated, corrupted, or otherwise not decoded correctly. This also
930 includes string, array and map sizes that are stored as 64 bit integers. 1154 includes string, float, array and map sizes that are stored as 64 bit
1155 integers.
931 1156
932THREADS 1157THREADS
933 This module is *not* guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no plans 1158 This module is *not* guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no plans
934 to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the 1159 to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
935 horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1160 horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated

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