Critical Vulnerability in Ruby Package: Malicious Gem Specifications Execution Risk
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2017-0899: RubyGems version 2.6.12 and earlier is vulnerable to maliciously crafted gem specifications that include terminal escape characters. Affects ruby versions < 2.4.2-r0. Fixed in 2.4.2-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
Ruby is a dynamic, open-source programming language with a focus on simplicity and productivity. It has an elegant syntax that is natural to read and easy to write. RubyGems is a package manager for Ruby that provides a standard format for distributing Ruby programs and libraries. However, versions of RubyGems prior to 2.6.12 are susceptible to a vulnerability that allows maliciously crafted gem specifications to execute terminal escape sequences, posing a significant security risk.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2017-0899, originates from RubyGems versions 2.6.12 and earlier. It allows attackers to create gem specifications that include terminal escape characters. When these specifications are printed, they can execute unintended terminal escape sequences, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or other malicious actions. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating its critical nature and the severe impact it can have on affected systems.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.4.2-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade rubyTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid executing gem specifications from untrusted sources. Additionally, ensure that your terminal environment is configured to handle escape sequences safely, although this may not fully mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The vulnerability CVE-2017-0899 in RubyGems poses a critical risk due to its ability to execute malicious terminal escape sequences through crafted gem specifications. It is crucial for users to update to the latest version of RubyGems to mitigate this risk. Regular monitoring and adherence to security best practices are essential to safeguard applications from such vulnerabilities.
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FAQ
CVE-2017-0899 is a vulnerability in RubyGems that allows malicious gem specifications to execute terminal escape sequences, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
You can check your RubyGems version by running the command gem -v in your terminal. If it is 2.6.12 or earlier, it is affected.
If immediate updates are not possible, avoid using gem specifications from untrusted sources and ensure your terminal is configured to handle escape sequences safely.
If your application uses an affected version of RubyGems, it may be at risk of executing malicious code through crafted gem specifications, leading to potential data breaches or system compromise.
Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
References
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