HTTP Request Smuggling Vulnerability in Ruby WEBrick Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-47220: An issue was discovered in the WEBrick toolkit through 1.8.1 for Ruby. Affects ruby-webrick versions < 1.9.1-1. Fixed in 1.9.1-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Ruby WEBrick is a simple HTTP server toolkit that is part of the Ruby standard library. It is designed to provide a lightweight server for testing and development purposes. WEBrick is often used in Ruby applications to serve HTTP requests and responses. However, it is not recommended for production use due to its limitations and potential security vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detail
An issue was discovered in the WEBrick toolkit through version 1.8.1 for Ruby, which allows for HTTP request smuggling. This vulnerability arises when both a Content-Length header and a Transfer-Encoding header are provided in an HTTP request. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a request that includes a 'GET /admin HTTP/1.1' inside a 'POST /user HTTP/1.1' request, potentially leading to unauthorized access or manipulation of requests. The supplier has stated that WEBrick should not be used in production environments due to such vulnerabilities.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.9.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade ruby-webrickTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a workaround, it is advised to avoid using WEBrick in production environments. If you must use it for development, ensure that it is not exposed to untrusted networks and consider using a more secure server for production deployments.
Conclusion
The Ruby WEBrick package has a critical vulnerability that allows for HTTP request smuggling, which can lead to serious security risks. It is crucial to update to the patched version and avoid using WEBrick in production environments. Regular monitoring and updates are essential for maintaining application security.
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FAQ
HTTP request smuggling is a technique used by attackers to send malicious HTTP requests that can bypass security controls, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on a web server.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
No, WEBrick is not recommended for production use due to its known vulnerabilities and limitations.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or other malicious actions on the server.
It is advisable to regularly check for updates and apply them promptly to ensure that you are protected against known vulnerabilities.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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