CVE-2007-5380 in Ruby on Rails
Summary
by MITRE
Session fixation vulnerability in Rails before 1.2.4, as used for Ruby on Rails, allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions via unspecified vectors related to "URL-based sessions."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2025
The session fixation vulnerability identified in CVE-2007-5380 represents a critical weakness in Ruby on Rails frameworks prior to version 1.2.4, specifically affecting the handling of URL-based sessions. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of session management flaws that can severely compromise web application security. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit session identifiers that remain static across authentication boundaries, creating opportunities for unauthorized access and session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the framework level, affecting all applications built on affected Rails versions regardless of their specific implementation details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Rails managed session identifiers when using URL-based session parameters. In affected versions, the framework did not properly invalidate or regenerate session tokens upon user authentication, allowing attackers to manipulate session identifiers through crafted URLs. This flaw creates a scenario where an attacker can establish a session with a known session identifier and then trick a victim into using the same identifier, effectively enabling the attacker to hijack the victim's authenticated session. The vulnerability operates through the application's session management system, where session tokens are passed as URL parameters rather than being securely handled through cookies or other secure mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to perform authenticated actions on behalf of legitimate users without proper authorization. This type of attack can lead to complete account compromise, data theft, financial fraud, and privilege escalation within affected applications. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to systems or network proximity to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of web applications by allowing attackers to maintain persistent access through manipulated session identifiers, undermining the trust model that authentication mechanisms are designed to establish.
Security professionals should understand that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-384, which specifically addresses session fixation issues in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1548.003 for session hijacking and privilege escalation. Organizations using affected Rails versions should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Rails 1.2.4 or later, implementing proper session token regeneration upon authentication, and ensuring that session identifiers are not passed through URL parameters. Additional protective measures include implementing secure session management practices such as using HttpOnly and Secure flags for session cookies, implementing proper session timeout mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session handling in web frameworks and highlights the need for continuous security updates and vigilance in maintaining secure application development practices.