Remote Command Execution Vulnerability in ruby-mail Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2012-2140: The Mail gem before 2.4.3 for Ruby allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a (1) sendmail or (2) exim delivery. Affects ruby-mail versions < 2.4.4-1. Fixed in 2.4.4-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
The ruby-mail package is a popular library in Ruby that facilitates the sending and receiving of emails. It provides a simple interface for developers to integrate email functionalities into their applications. However, prior to version 2.4.3, the package contained a critical vulnerability that allowed remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands through shell metacharacters in the delivery methods, specifically sendmail and exim.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2012-2140, originates from improper handling of user input in the Mail gem before version 2.4.3. This oversight allows attackers to inject shell commands via specially crafted email delivery configurations. The ramifications of this vulnerability are severe, as it could lead to unauthorized command execution on the server, potentially compromising the entire system. The technical aspect of this vulnerability lies in the failure to sanitize input, which is a common security oversight in software development.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.4.4-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade ruby-mailTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate updating is not feasible, a temporary workaround is to avoid using the vulnerable delivery methods (sendmail and exim) until the package can be updated. Additionally, ensure that input to the email delivery methods is properly sanitized to mitigate the risk of command injection.
Conclusion
In summary, the ruby-mail package has a critical vulnerability (CVE-2012-2140) that allows remote command execution through improper input handling. It is crucial to update to the patched version 2.4.4-1 or later to secure your application. If immediate updates are not possible, implement workarounds to mitigate risks.
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FAQ
CVE-2012-2140 is a vulnerability in the ruby-mail package that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in email delivery configurations.
You can use Vulert, which allows you to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
The potential consequences include unauthorized command execution on the server, which could lead to data breaches, system compromise, or complete control of the affected system by an attacker.
Yes, the vulnerability has been patched in ruby-mail version 2.4.4-1 and later. It is recommended to update to this version to mitigate the risk.
If you cannot update the package immediately, avoid using the vulnerable delivery methods and ensure that any input to these methods is properly sanitized to reduce the risk of exploitation.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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